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Index to financial statements

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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration No. 333-173984

        PROSPECTUS

LOGO

Offer To Exchange
Up To $550,000,000 of
91/2% Senior Notes Due 2019,
That Have Not Been Registered under
The Securities Act of 1933
For
Up To $550,000,000 of
91/2% Senior Notes Due 2019,
That Have Been Registered
Under The Securities Act of 1933



Terms of the New 91/2% Senior Notes due 2019 Offered in the Exchange Offer:

Terms of the Exchange Offer:



        You should carefully consider the risk factors beginning on page 16 of this prospectus before participating in the exchange offer.



        Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is December 12, 2011.


        This prospectus is part of a registration statement we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). In making your investment decision, you should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus and in the accompanying letter of transmittal. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with any other information. We are not making an offer to sell these securities or soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where an offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making that offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to anyone whom it is unlawful to make an offer or solicitation. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than its date.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
  Page  

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

    ii  

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

   
1
 

RISK FACTORS

   
16
 

EXCHANGE OFFER

   
40
 

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

   
47
 

USE OF PROCEEDS

   
48
 

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

   
49
 

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

   
54
 

BUSINESS

   
87
 

MANAGEMENT

   
113
 

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

   
144
 

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

   
146
 

POTENTIAL CORPORATE REORGANIZATION

   
148
 

DESCRIPTION OF OTHER INDEBTEDNESS

   
149
 

DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES

   
150
 

MATERIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

   
222
 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

   
228
 

LEGAL MATTERS

   
229
 

EXPERTS

   
229
 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

   
229
 

ANNEX A: LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

   
A-1
 

ANNEX B: GLOSSARY OF OIL AND NATURAL GAS TERMS

   
B-1
 

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

   
F-1
 

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        In this prospectus, we refer to the notes to be issued in the exchange offer as the "new notes," and we refer to the $350 million principal amount of our 91/2% senior notes due 2019 issued on January 20, 2011, together with the additional $200 million principal amount of our 91/2% senior notes due 2019 issued on October 19, 2011, as the "old notes." We refer to the new notes and the old notes collectively as the "notes." References to the "issuer" and "Laredo Inc." refer to Laredo Petroleum, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Parent Guarantor. References to "Laredo LLC" refer to Laredo Petroleum, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. References to the "Parent Guarantor" refer to Laredo LLC or, if the corporate reorganization is consummated, Laredo Petroleum Holdings, Inc. ("LPH"). References to "subsidiaries" refer to the Parent Guarantor's subsidiaries: Laredo Inc., LPH (unless the corporate reorganization is consummated), Laredo Petroleum—Dallas, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Laredo Gas Services, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and Laredo Petroleum Texas, LLC, a Texas limited liability company. References to "Laredo," "we," "us" or "our" refer to the Parent Guarantor and its subsidiaries, unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires. References to "guarantors" refer to the Parent Guarantor and each of its subsidiaries that guarantee amounts outstanding on the notes on a joint and several basis.

        In this prospectus, historical financial information, operational data and reserve information for Laredo and our recently acquired subsidiary Broad Oak Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Broad Oak" and subsequently renamed Laredo Petroleum—Dallas, Inc.), present the assets and liabilities of Laredo LLC and its subsidiaries and Broad Oak at historical carrying values and their operations as if they were consolidated for all periods presented. Although the financial and other information is reported on a consolidated basis, such presentation is not necessarily indicative of the results that would have been obtained if Laredo had owned and operated Broad Oak from its inception. In addition, our estimated proved reserve information as of June 30, 2011 contained in this prospectus is based on a reserve report relating to our combined properties prepared by our independent petroleum engineers, Ryder Scott Company, L.P. ("Ryder Scott"), a copy of which report has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which the prospectus is a part. The information in this prospectus with respect to our estimated proved reserves as of December 31, 2008 has been prepared by our independent reserve engineers in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC applicable to fiscal years ending before December 31, 2009. The information in this prospectus with respect to our estimated proved reserves as of December 31, 2009, December 31, 2010 and June 30, 2011 has been prepared by our independent reserve engineers in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC applicable to fiscal years ending on and after December 31, 2009. Certain operational terms used in this prospectus are defined in "Annex B: Glossary of Oil and Natural Gas Terms."

        This prospectus incorporates important business and financial information about us that is not included or delivered with this prospectus. Such information is available without charge to holders of old notes upon written or oral request made to Laredo Petroleum, Inc., 15 W. Sixth Street, Suite 1800, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119, Attention: Chief Financial Officer (Telephone (918) 513-4570). To obtain timely delivery of any requested information, holders of old notes must make any request no later than five business days prior to the expiration of the exchange offer.


CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        The information in this prospectus includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). All statements, other than statements of historical fact included in this prospectus, regarding our strategy, future operations, financial position, estimated revenues and losses, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. When used in this prospectus, the words "could,"

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"believe," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "expect," "project" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions about future events and are based on currently available information as to the outcome and timing of future events. When considering forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements described under the heading "Risk Factors" included in this prospectus. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current belief, based on currently available information, as to the outcome and timing of future events. Among the factors that significantly impact our business and could impact our business in the future are:

        These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should, therefore, be considered in light of various factors, including those set forth in this prospectus under "Risk Factors," in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and elsewhere in this prospectus. In light of such risks and

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uncertainties, we caution you not to rely on these forward-looking statements in deciding whether to invest in the notes.

        Reserve engineering is a process of estimating underground accumulations of oil and natural gas that cannot be measured in an exact way. The accuracy of any reserve estimate depends on the quality of available data, the interpretation of such data and price and cost assumptions made by reservoir engineers. In addition, the results of drilling, testing and production activities may justify revisions of estimates that were made previously. If significant, such revisions would change the schedule of any further production and development drilling. Accordingly, reserve estimates may differ significantly from the quantities of oil and natural gas that are ultimately recovered.

        These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this prospectus, and we do not undertake any obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this prospectus or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

        This summary highlights some of the information contained in this prospectus and does not contain all of the information that may be important to you. You should read this entire prospectus and the documents to which we refer you before making an investment decision. You should carefully consider the information set forth under "Risk Factors" beginning on page 16 of this prospectus and the other cautionary statements described in this prospectus. In addition, certain statements include forward looking information that involves risks and uncertainties. See "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements."

Company Overview

        We are an independent energy company focused on the exploration, development and acquisition of oil and natural gas in the Permian and Mid-Continent regions of the United States. Laredo was founded in October 2006 by our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Randy A. Foutch, who was later joined by other members of our management team, many of whom have worked together for a decade or more. Our activities are primarily focused in the Wolfberry and deeper horizons of the Permian Basin in West Texas and the Anadarko Granite Wash in the Texas Panhandle and Western Oklahoma, where we have assembled 127,041 net acres and 37,740 net acres, respectively. These plays are characterized by high oil and liquids-rich natural gas content, multiple target horizons, extensive production histories, long-lived reserves, high drilling success rates and significant initial production rates.

        Since our inception, we have rapidly grown our cash flow, production and reserves through our drilling program. We also seek acquisition opportunities that are complementary to our assets and provide upside potential that is competitive with our existing property portfolio. On July 1, 2011, we completed the acquisition of Broad Oak for a combination of equity and cash. This acquisition provided us incremental scale and significant additional exposure to attractive vertical and horizontal oil and liquids-rich natural gas opportunities. The acquired properties are concentrated on a contiguous land position located in the Permian Basin, primarily in Reagan County, and are being drilled targeting Wolfberry production. This acreage, totaling approximately 64,000 net acres, approximately doubled our Permian Basin position and is immediately south of and on trend with our legacy Permian Basin properties in Glasscock and Howard Counties. We believe the success Laredo has achieved to date in drilling our vertical and horizontal wells may add significant value to this newly acquired acreage.

        Our net average daily production for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 was approximately 22,842 BOE/D, and our net proved reserves were an estimated 137,052 MBOE as of June 30, 2011. From our formation in 2006 through September 30, 2011, we have drilled over 700 gross vertical and horizontal wells with a success rate of approximately 99%. Our drilling activity has been and will continue to be focused on liquids-rich opportunities in the Permian Basin and Anadarko Granite Wash, where we see liquids-rich natural gas that ranges from 1,235 to 1,440 Btu per cubic foot and 1,135 to 1,180 Btu per cubic foot, respectively. Pursuant to our existing percentage of proceeds contracts during September 2011, our natural gas liquids yield was 131 Bbls/MMcf in the Permian Basin and 66 Bbls/MMcf in the Anadarko Granite Wash.

        We maintain a conservative financial profile in order to preserve operational flexibility and financial stability. At September 30, 2011, on a pro forma basis as adjusted, after giving effect to the offering of $200 million of old notes on October 19, 2011 and the application of the proceeds therefrom, we would have had approximately $325 million available for borrowings under our senior secured credit facility and total debt of approximately $877 million, which is 2.8 times our consolidated annualized Adjusted EBITDA for the first nine months of 2011. We believe that our operating cash flow, our liquidity sources and access to capital resources provide us with the ability to implement our planned exploration and development activities.

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Recent Developments

        Borrowing base increase.    On October 28, 2011, our lenders approved an increase of the borrowing base under our senior secured credit facility from $650.0 million to $712.5 million. As of November 25, 2011 we had $375 million outstanding under the facility.

        Acquisition of Broad Oak Energy, Inc.    On July 1, 2011, we completed the acquisition of Broad Oak, which became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Laredo Inc. Broad Oak was formed in 2006 with financial support from its management and affiliates of Warburg Pincus LLC ("Warburg Pincus"). On July 19, 2011, we changed the name of Broad Oak to Laredo Petroleum—Dallas, Inc.

        Capital expenditure program.    Following the Broad Oak acquisition, our board of directors approved a revised capital expenditure budget of approximately $188 million for the fourth quarter of 2011. On November 9, 2011, our board of directors approved a budget of $757 million for the calendar year 2012, excluding additional acquisitions. Approximately 92% of our budget for the remainder of 2011 and 2012 will be targeted for drilling and completion operations, 97% of which are concentrated in our Permian Basin and Anadarko Granite Wash plays.

Corporate History and Structure

        Laredo Inc. was founded in October 2006 by Randy A. Foutch, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, who was later joined by other members of our management team to acquire, develop and operate oil and gas properties in the Permian and Mid-Continent regions of the United States. In 2007, Warburg Pincus, our institutional investor, and Laredo Inc.'s management formed Laredo LLC as a holding company and entered into a limited liability company agreement, which provided for Laredo LLC's initial funding with an equity commitment of $300 million from Warburg Pincus, certain members of our management team and our independent directors. The stockholders of Laredo Inc. contributed their common stock in Laredo Inc. to Laredo LLC in return for equity units in Laredo LLC, and Laredo Inc. became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Laredo LLC.

        In October 2008, Laredo LLC's limited liability company agreement was amended and a new series of equity units was created to provide for an additional $300 million equity program. To date, Warburg Pincus, certain members of our management and our independent directors have together invested a total of $710 million of equity in Laredo.

        LPH, a recently formed Delaware corporation, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Laredo LLC. LPH currently has no material assets or liabilities and is not currently a guarantor of the notes or a guarantor of the senior secured credit facility. LPH has recently filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the SEC in connection with a proposed initial public offering of its common stock. The registration statement for the initial public offering is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the new notes and is not incorporated by reference herein, and investors should not rely on the disclosure therein in connection with their participation in the exchange offer. The registration statement is subject to review and comment by the SEC and has not yet become effective and the disclosure related to us and our business may change as a result of such review and comments. Pursuant to the terms of a corporate reorganization that is currently proposed to occur concurrently with, or immediately prior to, the closing of the initial public offering of LPH's common stock, Laredo LLC will merge into LPH, with LPH being the surviving entity. LPH will issue common stock to the current owners of Laredo LLC in the corporate reorganization and to the public in the initial public offering. The issuer of the notes and the borrower under our senior secured credit facility will continue to be Laredo Inc. and LPH will become a guarantor of the notes and the senior secured credit facility immediately prior to the corporate reorganization. If the proposed initial public offering is consummated, ownership in LPH is expected to be approximately 80.5% by Warburg Pincus, 5.5% by our board of directors, management and employees and approximately 14.0% by the public stockholders assuming the midpoint of the offering price range set forth in the preliminary prospectus

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dated November 28, 2011 filed by LPH for the proposed initial public offering. There can be no assurance that the initial public offering of LPH's common stock will be consummated or the corporate reorganization will be effected as proposed. This description does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy common stock of LPH. Common stock of LPH may not be sold nor may offers be accepted prior to the time the registration statement on Form S-1 becomes effective.

        Laredo Inc. has three wholly-owned subsidiaries: Laredo Petroleum Texas, LLC, a Texas limited liability company formed in March 2007; Laredo Gas Services, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company formed in November 2007; and Laredo Petroleum—Dallas, Inc., a Delaware corporation formed in May 2006, formerly known as Broad Oak Energy, Inc.

        Laredo Inc. is the borrower under our senior secured credit facility as well as the issuer of our notes. Currently, Laredo LLC and all of its subsidiaries (other than Laredo Inc. and LPH) are guarantors of the obligations under our senior secured credit facility and the notes.

        The following diagram indicates our current ownership structure.

GRAPHIC


(1)
Including former Broad Oak management, directors and employees.

(2)
If the potential corporate reorganization described herein is consummated, Laredo LLC will merge into LPH, with LPH being the surviving entity, and LPH will own 100% of Laredo Inc. See "Potential Corporate Reorganization."

Our Offices

        Our executive offices are located at 15 W. Sixth Street, Suite 1800, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119, and the phone number at this address is (918) 513-4570. Our website address is www.laredopetro.com. We expect to make our periodic reports and other information filed with or furnished to the SEC, available free of charge through our website as soon as reasonably practicable after those reports and other information are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. Information on our website or any other website is not incorporated by reference into, and does not constitute a part of, this prospectus.

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The Exchange Offer

        On January 20, 2011, we completed a private offering of $350 million aggregate principal amount of the old notes. On October 19, 2011, we completed a private offering of $200 million aggregate principal amount of the old notes. We entered into registration rights agreements with the initial purchasers in connection with these offerings in which we agreed to deliver to you this prospectus and to use commercially reasonable efforts to complete the exchange offer within 365 days after the date of the initial issuance of the old notes issued on January 20, 2011.

Old Notes

  On January 20, 2011 and October 19, 2011, we issued $350 million and $200 million, respectively, aggregate principal amount of 91/2% senior notes due 2019.

Exchange Offer

 

We are offering to exchange up to $550 million principal amount of the new notes for an equal amount of our old notes.

Expiration Date

 

The exchange offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on January 12, 2012, unless we decide to extend it.

Conditions to the Exchange Offer

 

The registration rights agreements do not require us to accept old notes for exchange if the exchange offer, or the making of any exchange by a holder of the old notes, would violate any applicable law or interpretation of the staff of the SEC. The exchange offer is not conditioned on a minimum aggregate principal amount of old notes being tendered.

Procedures for Tendering Old Notes

 

To participate in the exchange offer, you must follow the procedures established by The Depository Trust Company, which we call "DTC," for tendering notes held in book-entry form. These procedures, which we call "ATOP," require that (i) the exchange agent receive, prior to the expiration date of the exchange offer, a computer generated message known as an "agent's message" that is transmitted through DTC's automated tender offer program, and (ii) DTC confirms that:

•       DTC has received your instructions to exchange your notes, and

•       You agree to be bound by the terms of the letter of transmittal.
For more information on tendering your old notes, please refer to the sections in this prospectus entitled "Exchange Offer—Terms of the Exchange Offer," "Exchange Offer—Procedures for Tendering" and "Description of the Notes—Book Entry, Delivery and Form."

Guaranteed Delivery Procedures

 

None.

Withdrawal of Tenders

 

You may withdraw your tender of old notes at any time prior to the expiration date. To withdraw, you must submit a notice of withdrawal to the exchange agent using ATOP procedures before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date of the exchange offer. Please refer to the section in this prospectus entitled "Exchange Offer—Withdrawal of Tenders."

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Acceptance of Old Notes and Delivery of New Notes

 

If you fulfill all conditions required for proper acceptance of old notes, we will accept any and all old notes that you properly tender in the exchange offer before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date. We will return any old notes that we do not accept for exchange to you without expense promptly after the expiration date and acceptance of the old notes for exchange. Please refer to the section in this prospectus entitled "Exchange Offer—Terms of the Exchange Offer."

Fees and Expenses

 

We will bear expenses related to the exchange offer. Please refer to the section in this prospectus entitled "Exchange Offer—Fees and Expenses."

Use of Proceeds

 

The issuance of the new notes will not provide us with any new proceeds. We are making this exchange offer solely to satisfy our obligations under our registration rights agreements.

Consequences of Failure to Exchange Old Notes

 

If you do not exchange your old notes in this exchange offer, you will no longer be able to require us to register the old notes under the Securities Act except in limited circumstances provided under the registration rights agreements. In addition, you will not be able to resell, offer to resell or otherwise transfer the old notes unless we have registered the old notes under the Securities Act, or unless you resell, offer to resell or otherwise transfer them under an exemption from the registration requirements of, or in a transaction not subject to, the Securities Act.

U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences

 

The exchange of new notes for old notes in the exchange offer will not be a taxable event for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Please read "Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences."

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Exchange Agent

  We have appointed Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. as exchange agent for the exchange offer. You should direct questions and requests for assistance, requests for additional copies of this prospectus or the letter of transmittal to the exchange agent as follows:

 

By registered & certified mail:
WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.
Corporate Trust Operations
MAC : N9303-121
P.O. Box 1517
Minneapolis, MN 55480

 

By regular mail or overnight courier:
WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.
Corporate Trust Operations
MAC : N9303-121
6th St & Marquette Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55479

 

In person by hand only:
WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.
Corporate Trust Services
Northstar East Building—12th Floor
608 Second Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55402

 

Eligible institutions may make requests by facsimile at
(612) 667-6282 and may confirm facsimile delivery by calling (800) 344-5128.

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Terms of the New Notes

        The new notes will be identical to the old notes except that the new notes are registered under the Securities Act and will not have restrictions on transfer, registration rights or provisions for additional interest. The new notes will evidence the same debt as the old notes, and the same indenture will govern the new notes and the old notes.

        The following summary contains basic information about the new notes and is not intended to be complete. It does not contain all information that may be important to you. For a more complete understanding of the new notes, please refer to the section entitled "Description of the Notes" in this prospectus.

Issuer

  Laredo Inc., a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of the Parent Guarantor.

New Notes Offered

 

$550 million aggregate principal amount of 91/2% senior notes due 2019, registered under the Securities Act. The old notes and the new notes will be treated as a single class of securities under the indenture, including, without limitation, for purposes of waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase.

Maturity Date

 

February 15, 2019.

Interest

 

The new notes will bear interest at a rate of 91/2% per annum, payable semi-annually, in cash in arrears, on February 15 and August 15 of each year, commencing on the first such date next following the date on which the exchange offer is consummated.

Guarantees

 

Each of the Parent Guarantor and its existing subsidiaries (other than the issuer and (unless the corporate reorganization is consummated) LPH) will fully and unconditionally guarantee, jointly and severally, the new notes initially and (except for the Parent Guarantor) so long as such entity guarantees our senior secured credit facility or other debt in excess of $5 million. Not all of the Parent Guarantor's future subsidiaries will be required to become guarantors. If we cannot make payments on the new notes when they are due, the guarantors must make them instead. Please read "Description of the Notes—Guarantees."

 

Each guarantee will rank:

 

•       equally in right of payment to all existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness of the guarantor;

 

•       effectively subordinate in right of payment to all existing and future secured indebtedness of the guarantor, including its guarantee of indebtedness under our senior secured credit facility, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness; and

 

•       senior in right of payment to any future subordinated indebtedness of the guarantor.

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As of September 30, 2011, on a pro forma basis as adjusted after giving effect to the offering of $200 million of old notes on October 19, 2011 and the application of the net proceeds therefrom, the guarantees of the notes would have been effectively subordinated to $325 million of secured indebtedness, with the issuer having approximately $325 million of borrowing capacity available under our senior secured credit facility (without giving effect to any increase in the current borrowing base), subject to compliance with financial covenants, the guarantees of which would be effectively senior to the guarantees of the notes (to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness).

Ranking

 

The new notes will be the issuer's unsecured senior obligations. Accordingly, they will rank:

 

•       equally in right of payment to all of the issuer's existing and future senior indebtedness;

 

•       effectively subordinate in right of payment to all of the issuer's existing and future secured indebtedness, including indebtedness under the issuer's senior secured credit facility, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness;

 

•       effectively subordinate to all indebtedness and other liabilities of any future non-guarantor subsidiaries; and

 

•       senior in right of payment to all the issuer's existing and future subordinated indebtedness.

 

As of September 30, 2011, on a pro forma basis as adjusted after giving effect to the offering of $200 million of old notes on October 19, 2011 and the application of the net proceeds therefrom, the guarantees of the notes would have been effectively subordinated to $325 million of secured indebtedness, with the issuer having approximately $325 million of borrowing capacity available under our senior secured credit facility (without giving effect to any increase in the current borrowing base), subject to compliance with financial covenants, the guarantees of which would be effectively senior to the guarantees of the notes (to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness).

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Optional Redemption

 

The issuer will have the option to redeem the new notes, in whole or in part, at any time on or after February 15, 2015, at the redemption prices described in this prospectus under the heading "Description of the Notes—Optional Redemption," together with any accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the date of redemption. In addition, before February 15, 2015, the issuer may redeem all or any part of the notes at the make-whole price set forth under "Description of the Notes—Optional Redemption." In addition, before February 15, 2014, the issuer may, at any time or from time to time, redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes with the net proceeds of a public or private equity offering at a redemption price of 109.5% of the principal amount of the notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption, if at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes issued under the indenture governing the notes remains outstanding immediately after such redemption and the redemption occurs within 180 days of the closing date of such equity offering.

Change of Control

 

If a change of control event occurs, each holder of new notes may require the issuer to repurchase all or a portion of its new notes for cash at a price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of such new notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the date of repurchase. The proposed corporate reorganization, if consummated, will not be a change of control event.

Certain Other Covenants

 

The indenture contains covenants that limit, among other things, the ability of the Parent Guarantor and some of its subsidiaries (including the issuer) to:

 

•       pay distributions or dividends on, or purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, equity interests;

 

•       make certain investments;

 

•       incur additional indebtedness or liens;

 

•       sell certain assets or merge with or into other companies;

 

•       engage in transactions with affiliates; and

 

•       enter into sale and leaseback transactions.

 

These covenants are subject to a number of important qualifications and limitations. In addition, substantially all of the covenants will be suspended before the new notes mature if both of two specified ratings agencies assign the new notes an investment grade rating in the future and no event of default exists under the indenture governing the new notes. See "Description of the Notes—Certain Covenants."

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Transfer Restrictions, Absence of a Public Market for the New Notes

 

The new notes generally will be freely transferable, but will also be new securities for which there will not initially be a market. There can be no assurance as to the development of liquidity of any market for the new notes. We do not intend to apply for a listing of the new notes on any securities exchange or any automated dealer quotation system.

Risk Factors

 

Investing in the new notes involves risks. See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 16 for a discussion of certain factors you should consider in evaluating whether or not to tender your old notes.

Form of Exchange Notes

 

The new notes will be represented initially by one or more global notes. The global new notes will be deposited with the trustee, as custodian for DTC.

Trustee, Registrar and Exchange Agent

 

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association.

Governing Law

 

The new notes and the indenture governing the new notes will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

Same-Day Settlement

 

The global new notes will be shown on, and transfers of the global new notes will be effected only through, records maintained in book entry form by DTC and its direct and indirect participants. The new notes are expected to trade in DTC's Same Day Funds Settlement System until maturity or redemption. Therefore, secondary market trading activity in the new notes will be settled in immediately available funds.

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Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

        The following table sets forth our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the periods presented:

 
  Nine months ended
September 30,
  For the year ended December 31,    
 
 
  Pro forma
2011
  2011   Pro forma
2010
  2010   2009   2008   2007   Inception to
December 31,
2006
 

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(1)

    4.0x (2)   5.6x     1.4x (3)   4.2x     (4)   (4)   (4)   (4)

(1)
For purposes of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, "earnings" consists of pretax income (loss) plus fixed charges. "Fixed charges" represents interest incurred, amortization of deferred debt offering costs and that portion of rental expense on operating leases deemed to be the equivalent of interest.

(2)
Because the net proceeds from the offerings of the old notes were used in part to repay indebtedness, the pro forma impact on the amount of fixed charges causes our earnings to cover fixed charges to change by 10% or more for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. At September 30, 2011, we had approximately $525.0 million of borrowings outstanding under our senior secured credit facility and $350.0 million in old notes. The weighted average interest rate paid on amounts outstanding under our senior secured credit facility for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 was 2.49% and under our old notes was 9.5%.

(3)
Because the net proceeds from the offerings of the old notes were used in part to repay indebtedness, the pro forma impact on the amount of fixed charges causes our earnings to cover fixed charges to change by 10% or more for the year ended December 31, 2010. At December 31, 2010, we had approximately $177.5 million of borrowings outstanding under our senior secured credit facility and $100.0 million outstanding under our term loan facility. For the year ended December 31, 2010, the weighted average interest rates paid on amounts outstanding under our senior secured credit facility, the Broad Oak credit facility and our term loan were 4.40%, 4.27% and 9.25%, respectively.

(4)
Due to our net operating losses for each of the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 and for the period from inception to December 31, 2006, the ratio of coverages were less than 1:1. To achieve the ratio coverage of 1:1, we would have needed additional earnings of approximately $258.5 million, $245.8 million, $7.5 million and $1.8 million, respectively.

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Summary Financial Data

        The following summary financial data should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," "Selected Financial Data" and our unaudited consolidated financial statements and condensed notes thereto and our audited combined financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus. We believe that the assumptions underlying the preparation of our financial statements are reasonable. The financial information included in this prospectus may not be indicative of our future results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

        Prior to the acquisition of Broad Oak, the majority equity ownership of both Laredo LLC and Broad Oak was effectively controlled by a common owner. For this reason, both the unaudited and audited financial statements included in this prospectus consist of the historical audited combined balance sheets of Laredo LLC (and its historical subsidiaries) as well as Broad Oak, as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the related combined statements of operations, owners' equity and cash flows for each of the three years ended December 31, 2010, the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of Laredo LLC and its subsidiaries, as of September 30, 2011, and the related consolidated statements of operations, owners' equity and cash flows of Laredo LLC and its subsidiaries for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010. As a result, the financial statements included in this prospectus, and the financial and other data contained in this prospectus treat Broad Oak as having been a part of the historic consolidated group of Laredo LLC from inception. Such financial information is not necessarily indicative of the results that would have been obtained if Laredo LLC had owned and operated Broad Oak from its inception.

        Presented below is our summary financial data for the periods and as of the dates indicated. The summary financial data for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 and the balance sheets as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 are derived from our audited combined financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus. The summary consolidated financial data for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 and the balance sheet as of September 30, 2011 are derived from our unaudited consolidated financial statements and the condensed notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus. The summary combined financial data for the year ended December 31, 2007 and for the period from our inception in May 2006 through December 31, 2006 and the balance sheet data as of December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 are derived from our unaudited combined financial statements not included in this prospectus.

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  For the nine months
ended September 30,
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
  For the years ended December 31,    
 
 
  Inception to
December 31,
2006
 
(in thousands)
  2011   2010   2010   2009   2008(2)   2007  
 
  (unaudited)
   
   
   
  (unaudited)
  (unaudited)
 

Statement of operations data:

                                           
 

Total operating revenues

  $ 371,307   $ 157,061   $ 242,004   $ 96,892   $ 74,735   $ 9,650   $  
 

Total operating costs and expenses(1)

    209,071     110,652     169,022     350,421     351,201     17,273     2,029  
   

Income (loss) from operations

    162,236     46,409     72,982     (253,529 )   (276,466 )   (7,623 )   (2,029 )
 

Realized and unrealized gain (loss):

                                           
 

Commodity derivative financial instruments, net

    42,851     29,583     11,190     5,744     40,569     1,579      
 

Interest rate derivatives, net

    (1,317 )   (5,890 )   (5,375 )   (3,394 )   (6,274 )        

Interest expense

    (35,062 )   (11,869 )   (18,482 )   (7,464 )   (4,410 )   (2,046 )    

Other non-operating income (expense)

    (6,141 )   95     121     142     817     634     188  

Net income (loss)

  $ 103,988   $ 51,158   $ 86,248   $ (184,495 ) $ (192,047 ) $ (6,051 ) $ (1,841 )

(1)
In 2009, we recognized a pre-tax non-cash full cost ceiling impairment charge of approximately $245.9 million on our proved properties and we reduced materials and supplies by approximately $0.8 million to reflect our materials and supplies at the lower of cost or market. In 2008, we recognized a pre-tax non-cash full cost ceiling impairment charge of approximately $282.6 million on our proved properties. For a discussion of our impairment expense, see Notes B.5, B.7 and B.19 in our audited combined financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.

(2)
The year ended December 31, 2008 contains the results of operations for the acquisition of properties from Linn Energy beginning August 15, 2008, the closing date of the property acquisition. See Note C in our audited combined financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 
   
  As of December 31,  
 
  As of September 30,
2011
 
(in thousands)
  2010   2009   2008   2007   2006  
 
  (unaudited)
   
   
   
  (unaudited)
  (unaudited)
 

Balance sheet data:

                                     
 

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 28,249   $ 31,235   $ 14,987   $ 13,512   $ 6,937   $ 6,345  
 

Net property and equipment

    1,216,057     809,893     396,100     350,702     137,852     7,539  
 

Total assets

    1,476,503     1,068,160     625,344     578,387     171,799     13,903  
 

Current liabilities

    152,874     150,243     79,265     101,864     16,809     550  
 

Long-term debt

    875,000     491,600     247,100     148,600     44,500      
 

Owners' equity

    438,211     411,099     289,107     318,364     109,707     13,316  

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  For the nine months
ended September 30,
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
  For the years ended December 31,    
 
 
  Inception to
December 31,
2006
 
(in thousands)
  2011   2010   2010   2009   2008   2007  
 
  (unaudited)
   
   
   
  (unaudited)
  (unaudited)
 

Other financial data:

                                           
 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

  $ 233,673   $ 90,754   $ 157,043   $ 112,669   $ 25,332   $ 5,019   $ (1,231 )
 

Net cash used in investing activities

    (519,264 )   (309,557 )   (460,547 )   (361,333 )   (490,897 )   (131,153 )   (7,581 )
 

Net cash provided by financing activities

    282,605     229,040     319,752     250,139     472,140     126,726     15,157  

 
  For the nine months
ended September 30,
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
  For the years ended December 31,    
 
 
  Inception to
December 31,
2006
 
(in thousands, unaudited)
  2011   2010   2010   2009   2008   2007  
 

Adjusted EBITDA(1)

    $283,850     $123,519     $194,502     $104,908     $49,305     $(1,522 )   $(1,798 )

(1)
Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. For a definition of Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss) see "Selected Financial Data—Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Reconciliations."

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Summary Historical Combined Reserve Data

        Prior to the acquisition of Broad Oak, the majority equity ownership of both Laredo LLC and Broad Oak was effectively controlled by a common owner. For this reason, the information in this prospectus with respect to our estimated proved reserves for the periods stated have been prepared by our independent reserve engineers combining the reserves of Broad Oak with the reserves historically reported by Laredo LLC. These reserves were determined in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC applicable to fiscal years ending on and after December 31, 2009. Certain operational terms used in this prospectus are defined in "Annex B: Glossary of Oil and Natural Gas Terms."

        The following table sets forth certain unaudited information concerning our proved oil and natural gas reserves as of June 30, 2011 based on a reserve report prepared by Ryder Scott, our independent reserve engineers.

 
  June 30, 2011  
 
  Reserve category  
 
  PDP   PDNP   PUD   Total  

Proved Reserves:

                         
 

Oil (MBbls)

    15,828     1,472     28,629     45,929  
 

Natural gas (MMcf)

    200,752     17,698     328,291     546,741  
 

Oil equivalents(1) (MBOE)

    49,286     4,422     83,344     137,052  
 

% Oil

    32 %   33 %   34 %   34 %
 

% Natural Gas

    68 %   67 %   66 %   66 %

(1)
MBbl equivalents ("MBOE") are calculated using a conversion rate of six MMcf per one MBbl.

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RISK FACTORS

        Investing in the notes involves risks. You should carefully consider the information in this prospectus, including the matters addressed under "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and the following risks before participating in the exchange offer.

        We are subject to certain risks and hazards due to the nature of the business activities we conduct. The risks described below, any of which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations, are not the only risks we face. We may experience additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us; or, as a result of developments occurring in the future, conditions that we currently deem to be immaterial may also materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.

Risks Related to the Notes

We may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service all of our indebtedness, including the notes, and may be forced to take other actions to satisfy our obligations under our indebtedness, which may not be successful.

        Our ability to make scheduled payments on or to refinance our debt obligations, including the notes, depends on our financial condition and operating performance, which is subject to prevailing economic and competitive conditions and to certain financial, business and other factors beyond our control. We may not be able to maintain a level of cash flows from operating activities sufficient to permit us to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest on our indebtedness, including the notes. As a result of concern about the stability of financial markets generally and the solvency of counterparties specifically, the cost of obtaining money from the credit markets has increased for certain companies as many lenders and institutional investors have increased interest rates, enacted tighter lending standards and reduced and, in some cases, ceased to provide funding to borrowers.

        If our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to fund our debt service obligations, we may be forced to reduce or delay investments and capital expenditures, or to sell assets, seek additional capital or restructure or refinance our indebtedness, including the notes. Our ability to restructure or refinance our debt will depend on the condition of the capital markets and the bank markets and our financial condition at such time. Any refinancing of our debt could be at higher interest rates and may require us to comply with more onerous covenants, which could further restrict our business operations. The terms of our existing or future debt instruments and the indenture governing the notes may restrict us from adopting some of these alternatives. In addition, any failure to make payments of interest and principal on our outstanding indebtedness on a timely basis would likely result in a reduction of our credit rating, which could harm our ability to incur additional indebtedness. In the absence of sufficient cash flows and capital resources, we could face substantial liquidity problems and might be required to dispose of material assets or operations to meet our debt service and other obligations. Our senior secured credit facility and the indenture governing the notes currently restrict our ability to dispose of assets and use the proceeds from such disposition. We may not be able to consummate those dispositions, and the proceeds of any such disposition may not be adequate to meet any debt service obligations then due. These alternative measures may not be successful and may not permit us to meet our scheduled debt service obligations.

        Our borrowing base is scheduled for semi-annual redetermination on May 1 and November 1 of each year. On October 28, 2011, our lenders approved an increase of the borrowing base under our senior secured credit facility from $650.0 million to $712.5 million. As of November 25, 2011 we had $375 million outstanding under the facility. In the future, we may not be able to access adequate funding under our senior secured credit facility as a result of a decrease in our borrowing base due to the issuance of new indebtedness, the outcome of a subsequent semi-annual borrowing base redetermination or an unwillingness or inability on the part of our lending counterparties to meet their funding obligations and the inability of other lenders to provide additional funding to cover the

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defaulting lender's portion. Declines in commodity prices could result in a determination to lower the borrowing base in the future and, in such a case, we could be required to repay any indebtedness in excess of the redetermined borrowing base. As a result, we may be unable to implement our drilling and development plan, make acquisitions or otherwise carry out our business plan, which would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations and impair our ability to service the notes.

Despite our indebtedness level, we still may be able to incur significant additional amounts of debt.

        As of September 30, 2011, on a pro forma basis as adjusted after giving effect to the offering of $200 million of old notes on October 19, 2011 and the application of the net proceeds therefrom, we would have had approximately $877 million of indebtedness outstanding, represented by $550 million aggregate principal amount of our old notes (plus the $2 million difference between the issue price and the principal amount of the notes) and $325 million in loans outstanding under our senior secured credit facility, as well as approximately $325 million of additional borrowing capacity available under our senior secured credit facility (without giving effect to any increase in the current borrowing base), subject to compliance with financial covenants. We may be able to incur substantial additional indebtedness, including secured indebtedness, in the future. The restrictions on the incurrence of additional indebtedness contained in the indenture governing the notes and our senior secured credit facility are subject to a number of significant qualifications and exceptions, and under certain circumstances, the amount of indebtedness, including secured indebtedness, that could be incurred in compliance with these restrictions could be substantial.

        If new debt is added to our existing debt levels, the related risks that we face would increase and may make it more difficult to satisfy our existing financial obligations, including those relating to the notes. In addition, the indenture governing the notes will not prevent us from incurring obligations that do not constitute indebtedness under the indenture. See "Description of Other Indebtedness—Senior Secured Credit Facility" and "Description of the Notes."

        If we incur any additional indebtedness or other obligations, including trade payables, that rank equally with the notes, the holders of those obligations will be entitled to share ratably with you in any proceeds distributed in connection with any insolvency, liquidation, reorganization, dissolution or other winding up of our company. This may have the effect of reducing the amount of proceeds paid to you.

Our debt agreements contain restrictions that will limit our flexibility in operating our business.

        The indenture governing the notes and our senior secured credit facility each contain, and any future indebtedness we incur may contain, various covenants that limit our ability to engage in specified types of transactions. These covenants limit our ability to, among other things:

        As a result of these covenants, we are limited in the manner in which we may conduct our business and we may be unable to engage in favorable business activities or finance future operations

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or our capital needs. In addition, the covenants in our senior secured credit facility require us to maintain a minimum working capital ratio and minimum interest coverage ratio and also limit our capital expenditures. A breach of any of these covenants could result in a default under one or more of these agreements, including as a result of cross default provisions and, in the case of our senior secured credit facility, permit the lenders to cease making loans to us. Upon the occurrence of an event of default under our senior secured credit facility, the lenders could elect to declare all amounts outstanding under our senior secured credit facility to be immediately due and payable and terminate all commitments to extend further credit. Such actions by those lenders could cause cross defaults under our other indebtedness, including the notes. If we were unable to repay those amounts, the lenders under our senior secured credit facility could proceed against the collateral granted to them to secure that indebtedness. We pledged a significant portion of our assets as collateral under our senior secured credit facility. If the lenders under our senior secured credit facility accelerate the repayment of the borrowings thereunder, the proceeds from the sale or foreclosure upon such assets will first be used to repay debt under our senior secured credit facility, and we may not have sufficient assets to repay our unsecured indebtedness thereafter, including the notes.

If we are unable to comply with the restrictions and covenants in the agreements governing our notes and other indebtedness, there could be a default under the terms of these agreements, which could result in an acceleration of payment of funds that we have borrowed and could impair our ability to make principal and interest payments on the notes.

        If we are unable to comply with the restrictions and covenants in the indenture governing the notes or in our senior secured credit facility, or in any future debt financing agreements, there could be a default under the terms of these agreements. Our ability to comply with these restrictions and covenants, including meeting financial ratios and tests, may be affected by events beyond our control. As a result, we cannot assure you that we will be able to comply with these restrictions and covenants or meet these tests. Any default under the agreements governing our indebtedness, including a default under our senior secured credit facility, that is not waived by the requisite number of lenders, and the remedies sought by the holders of such indebtedness, could prevent us from paying principal, premium, if any, and interest on the notes and substantially decrease the market value of the notes. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow and are otherwise unable to obtain funds necessary to meet required payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest on our indebtedness, or if we otherwise fail to comply with the various covenants, including financial and operating covenants in the instruments governing our indebtedness (including covenants in our senior secured credit facility), we could be in default under the terms of these agreements. In the event of such default:

If our operating performance declines, we may in the future need to obtain waivers from the required lenders under our senior secured credit facility or any other indebtedness to avoid being in default. If we breach our covenants under our senior secured credit facility or any other indebtedness and seek a waiver, we may not be able to obtain a waiver from the required lenders on terms that are acceptable to us, if at all. If this occurs, we would be in default under our senior secured credit facility or any other indebtedness, the lenders could exercise their rights, as described above, and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation.

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The notes and the guarantees are unsecured and effectively subordinated to our secured indebtedness and to the debt of any non-guarantor subsidiaries.

        The notes and the guarantees will be general unsecured senior obligations of Laredo Inc. and each guarantor and will rank effectively junior to all of Laredo Inc.'s and each guarantor's existing and future secured indebtedness, including indebtedness under our senior secured credit facility, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness. As of September 30, 2011, Laredo Inc. and the guarantors had approximately $525 million of secured indebtedness. As of September 30, 2011, on a pro forma basis as adjusted after giving effect to the offering of $200 million of old notes on October 19, 2011 and the application of the net proceeds therefrom, Laredo Inc. and the guarantors would have had approximately $325 million of secured indebtedness and an additional approximately $325 million of undrawn availability under our senior secured credit facility. The notes and the guarantees will also be effectively subordinated to any indebtedness of any future non-guarantor subsidiaries to the extent of the assets of those subsidiaries.

        If we were unable to repay indebtedness under our senior secured credit facility, the lenders under that facility could foreclose on the pledged assets to the exclusion of holders of the notes, even if an event of default exists under the indenture governing the notes at such time. Furthermore, if the lenders foreclose and sell the pledged equity interests in any subsidiary guarantor in a transaction permitted under the terms of the indenture governing the notes, then such subsidiary guarantor will be released from its guarantee of the notes automatically and immediately upon such sale. In any such event, because the notes are not secured by any of such assets or by the equity interests in any such subsidiary guarantor, it is possible that there would be no assets from which your claims could be satisfied or, if any assets existed, they might be insufficient to satisfy your claims in full.

        If Laredo Inc. or any guarantor is declared bankrupt, becomes insolvent or is liquidated, dissolved or reorganized, any of its secured indebtedness will be entitled to be paid in full from its assets or the assets of any guarantor securing that indebtedness before any payment may be made with respect to the notes or the affected guarantees, and creditors of any non-guarantor subsidiaries would be paid before you receive any amounts due under the notes to the extent of the value of our equity interests in such subsidiaries. Holders of the notes will participate ratably in the remaining assets of Laredo Inc. and the guarantors with all holders of any unsecured indebtedness of Laredo Inc. and the guarantors that do not rank junior in right of payment to the notes, based upon the respective amounts owed to each holder or creditor. In any of the foregoing events, there may not be sufficient assets to pay amounts due on the notes or the guarantees. As a result, holders of the notes would likely receive less, ratably, than holders of secured indebtedness and holders of debt of any future non-guarantor subsidiaries.

Repayment of our debt, including the notes, is partially dependent on cash flow generated by our subsidiaries.

        Repayment of our indebtedness, including the notes, is partially dependent on the generation of cash flow by our subsidiaries and their ability to make such cash available to us, by dividend, debt repayment or otherwise. Unless they are guarantors of the notes, our subsidiaries will not have any obligation to pay amounts due on the notes or to make funds available for that purpose. Future non-guarantor subsidiaries may not be able to, or may not be permitted to, make distributions to enable us to make payments in respect of our indebtedness, including the notes. Each subsidiary is a distinct legal entity and, under certain circumstances, legal and contractual restrictions may limit our ability to obtain cash from future non-guarantor subsidiaries. While the indenture governing the notes will limit the ability of our non-guarantor subsidiaries to incur consensual restrictions on their ability to pay dividends or make other intercompany payments to us, these limitations are subject to certain qualifications and exceptions. In the event that we do not receive distributions from any future non-guarantor subsidiaries, we may be unable to make required principal and interest payments on our indebtedness, including the notes.

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A financial failure by the Parent Guarantor or its subsidiaries (including the issuer) may result in the assets of any or all of those entities becoming subject to the claims of all creditors of those entities.

        A financial failure by the Parent Guarantor or its subsidiaries (including the issuer) could affect payment of the notes if a bankruptcy court were to substantively consolidate the Parent Guarantor and its subsidiaries (including the issuer). If a bankruptcy court substantively consolidated the Parent Guarantor and its subsidiaries (including the issuer), the assets of each entity would become subject to the claims of creditors of all entities. This would expose holders of notes not only to the usual impairments arising from bankruptcy, but also to potential dilution of the amount ultimately recoverable because of the larger creditor base. Furthermore, forced restructuring of the notes could occur through the "cram-down" provisions of the U.S. bankruptcy code. Under these provisions, the notes could be restructured over your objections as to their general terms, primarily interest rate and maturity.

We may not be able to repurchase the notes in certain circumstances.

        Under the terms of the indenture governing the notes, you may require us to repurchase all or a portion of your notes if we sell certain assets or in the event of a change of control of the Parent Guarantor. We may not have enough funds to pay the repurchase price on a purchase date. Our existing credit facilities provide, and any future credit facilities or other debt agreements to which we become a party may provide, that our obligation to repurchase the notes would be an event of default under such agreement. As a result, we may be restricted or prohibited from repurchasing the notes. If we are prohibited from repurchasing the notes, we could seek the consent of our then-existing lenders to repurchase the notes, or we could attempt to refinance the borrowings that contain such prohibition. If we are unable to obtain any such consent or refinance such borrowings, we would not be able to repurchase the notes. Our failure to repurchase tendered notes would constitute a default under the indenture governing the notes and would constitute a default under the terms of our existing, or might constitute a default under the terms of our future, indebtedness.

        The definition of "change of control" includes a phrase relating to the sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition, in one or a series of related transactions, of "all or substantially all" of the assets of Laredo Inc., the Parent Guarantor and their restricted subsidiaries, taken as a whole. Thus, only asset dispositions constituting a "series of related transactions" are aggregated in determining whether a "change of control" arising from the sale of "substantially all" of the assets has taken place. Moreover, although there is a limited body of case law interpreting the phrase "substantially all," there is no precise established definition of the phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, whether assets are disposed of in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, your ability to require us to repurchase your notes as a result of a sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition of less than all of the assets of Laredo Inc., the Parent Guarantor and their restricted subsidiaries to another person or group may be uncertain. In addition, a recent Delaware Chancery Court decision raised questions about the enforceability of provisions, which are similar to those in the indenture governing the notes, related to the change of control as a result of a change in the composition of our board of directors. Accordingly, your ability to require us to repurchase your notes as a result of a change in the composition of the directors on our board of directors may be uncertain.

        The term "change of control" is limited to certain specified transactions and may not include other events that might adversely affect our financial condition. Our obligation to repurchase the notes upon a change of control would not necessarily afford holders of notes protection in the event of a highly leveraged transaction, reorganization, merger or similar transaction. In addition, holders of notes may not be entitled to require us to purchase their notes in certain circumstances involving a significant change in the composition of the Parent Guarantor's board of directors, including in connection with a proxy contest in which the Parent Guarantor's board of directors does not endorse or recommend a

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dissident slate of directors but approves them as directors for purposes of the "change of control" definition in the indenture. See "Description of the Notes—Change of Control."

Federal and state fraudulent transfer laws may permit a court to void the notes and the guarantees, subordinate claims in respect of the notes and the guarantees and require noteholders to return payments received and, if that occurs, you may not receive any payments on the notes.

        Federal and state fraudulent transfer and conveyance statutes may apply to the issuance of the notes and the incurrence of any guarantees of the notes, including the guarantee by the guarantors entered into upon issuance of the notes and subsidiary guarantees (if any) that may be entered into thereafter under the terms of the indenture governing the notes. Under federal bankruptcy law and comparable provisions of state fraudulent transfer or conveyance laws, which may vary from state to state, the notes or guarantees could be voided as a fraudulent transfer or conveyance if the court found that (1) we or any of the guarantors, as applicable, issued the notes or incurred the guarantees with the intent of hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors or (2) we or any of the guarantors, as applicable, received less than the reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration in return for either issuing the notes or incurring the guarantees and, in the case of (2) only, one of the following is also true at the time thereof:

        A court would likely find that we or a guarantor did not receive reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration for the notes or such guarantee if we or such guarantor did not substantially benefit directly or indirectly from the issuance of the notes or the applicable guarantee. As a general matter, value is given for a transfer or an obligation if, in exchange for the transfer or obligation, property is transferred or an antecedent debt is secured or satisfied. A debtor will generally not be considered to have received value in connection with a debt offering if the debtor uses the proceeds of that offering to make a dividend payment or otherwise retire or redeem equity securities issued by the debtor.

        We cannot be certain as to the standards a court would use to determine whether or not we or the guarantors were solvent at the relevant time or, regardless of the standard that a court uses, that the issuance of the guarantees would not be further subordinated to our or any of our guarantors' other debt. Generally, however, an entity would be considered insolvent at the time it incurred indebtedness if:

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        If a court were to find that the issuance of the notes or the incurrence of the guarantee was a fraudulent transfer or conveyance, the court could void the payment obligations under the notes or such guarantee or further subordinate the notes or such guarantee to presently existing and future indebtedness of ours or of the related guarantor, or require the holders of the notes to repay any amounts received with respect to such guarantee. In the event of a finding that a fraudulent transfer or conveyance occurred, you may not receive any repayment on the notes.

        Although each guarantee will contain a provision intended to limit that guarantor's liability to the maximum amount that it could incur without causing the incurrence of obligations under its guarantee to be a fraudulent transfer, this provision may not be effective to protect those guarantees from being voided under fraudulent transfer law, or may reduce that guarantor's obligation to an amount that effectively makes its guarantee of limited value or worthless.

        In a recent Florida bankruptcy case, this kind of provision was found to be unenforceable and, as a result, the subsidiary guarantees in that case were found to be fraudulent transfers. If a court were to rely on this case as precedent in litigation under the indenture, the risk that the guarantees will be found to be fraudulent transfers will be significantly increased.

        Finally, as a court of equity, a bankruptcy court may subordinate the claims in respect of the notes and the guarantees to the claims of other creditors under the principle of equitable subordination if the court determines that: (1) the holder of the notes engaged in inequitable conduct to the detriment of other creditors; (2) such inequitable conduct resulted in injury to our or the applicable guarantor's other creditors or conferred an unfair advantage upon the holder of the notes; and (3) equitable subordination is not inconsistent with the provisions of applicable bankruptcy law.

Your ability to transfer the notes may be limited by the absence of an active trading market, and there is no assurance that any active trading market will develop for the notes.

        We cannot assure you that, even following registration or exchange of the old notes for new notes, an active trading market for the notes will exist, and we will have no obligation to create such a market. At the time of the January 2011 and October 2011 offerings of the old notes, the initial purchasers advised us that they intended to make a market in the old notes and, if issued, the new notes. The initial purchasers are not obligated, however, to make a market in the old notes or the new notes and any market making may be discontinued at any time at their sole discretion. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of or trading market for the old notes or the new notes.

        The liquidity of any trading market for the notes and the market prices quoted for the notes depend upon the number of holders of the notes, the overall market for high yield securities, our financial performance or prospects or the prospects for companies in our industry generally, the interest of securities dealers in making a market in the notes and other factors.

The market value of the notes may be subject to substantial volatility.

        Historically, the market for high-yield debt has been subject to disruptions that have caused substantial volatility in the prices of securities similar to the notes. We cannot assure you that the market, if any, for the notes or the new notes will be free from similar disruptions or that any such disruptions will not adversely affect the prices at which you may sell your notes. As has been evident in connection with the recent turmoil in global financial markets, the entire high-yield debt market can experience sudden and sharp price swings, which can be exacerbated by factors such as (1) large or sustained sales by major investors in high-yield debt, (2) a default by a high profile issuer or (3) a change in investors' psychology regarding high-yield debt. A real or perceived economic downturn or higher interest rates could cause a decline in the market value of the notes. Moreover, if one of the major rating agencies lowers its credit rating on us or the notes, the market value of such notes will

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likely decline. Therefore, we cannot assure you that you will be able to sell your notes at a particular time or, in the event you are able to sell your notes, that the price that you receive will be favorable.

Many of the covenants contained in the indenture governing the notes will be suspended if the notes are rated investment grade by both Standard & Poor's Ratings Services and Moody's Investors Service, Inc.

        Many of the covenants in the indenture governing the notes will be suspended for so long as the notes are rated investment grade by both Standard & Poor's Ratings Services and Moody's Investors Service, Inc., provided at such time no event of default under the indenture governing the notes has occurred and is continuing. These covenants will be reinstated if the rating assigned by either rating agency declines below investment grade. These covenants will restrict, among other things, our ability to pay dividends, to incur indebtedness and to enter into certain other transactions. There can be no assurance that the notes will ever be rated investment grade, or that if they are rated investment grade, that the notes will maintain such ratings. However, suspension of these covenants would allow us to engage in certain transactions that would not be permitted while these covenants were in force. See "Description of the Notes—Certain Covenants—Covenant Suspension."

The guarantee of the notes by the Parent Guarantor does not provide significant additional assurance of payment on the notes.

        The notes are guaranteed by the Parent Guarantor. However, the Parent Guarantor is a holding company and has no operations separate from its investment in Laredo Inc. and Laredo Inc.'s subsidiaries. Therefore, if Laredo Inc. and the other guarantors should be unable to meet our payment obligations with respect to the notes, it is unlikely that the Parent Guarantor would be able to do so either.

Variable rate indebtedness subjects us to the risk of higher interest rates, which could cause our debt service obligations to increase significantly.

        Certain of our current borrowings (including borrowings under our senior secured credit facility) are, and future borrowings may be, at variable rates of interest, and, therefore, expose us to the risk of increased interest rates. If interest rates increase, our debt service obligations on our variable rate indebtedness would increase even if our outstanding indebtedness remained the same, thereby causing our net income and cash available for servicing our indebtedness to be lower than it would have been had interest rates not increased.

Risks Related to the Exchange Offer

If you do not properly tender your old notes, you will continue to hold unregistered old notes and your ability to transfer old notes will remain restricted and may be adversely affected.

        The issuer will only issue new notes in exchange for old notes that you timely and properly tender. Therefore, you should allow sufficient time to ensure timely delivery of the old notes and you should carefully follow the instructions on how to tender your old notes. Neither we nor the exchange agent is required to tell you of any defects or irregularities with respect to your tender of old notes.

        If you do not exchange your old notes for new notes pursuant to the exchange offer, the old notes you hold will continue to be subject to the existing transfer restrictions. In general, you may not offer or sell the old notes except under an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. We do not plan to register old notes under the Securities Act unless our registration rights agreements with the initial purchasers of the old notes requires us to do so. Further, if you continue to hold any old notes after the exchange offer is consummated, you may have trouble selling them because there will be fewer of the old notes outstanding.

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The consummation of the exchange offer may not occur.

        We are not obligated to complete the exchange offer under certain circumstances. See "Exchange Offer—Conditions to the Exchange Offer." Even if the exchange offer is completed, it may not be completed on the schedule described in this prospectus. Accordingly, holders participating in the exchange offer may have to wait longer than expected to receive their new notes, during which time those holders of old notes will not be able to effect transfers of their old notes tendered in the exchange offer.

You may be required to deliver prospectuses and comply with other requirements in connection with any resale of the new notes.

        If you tender your old notes for the purpose of participating in a distribution of the new notes, you will be required to comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of the new notes. In addition, if you are a broker-dealer that receives new notes for your own account in exchange for old notes that you acquired as a result of market-making activities or any other trading activities, you will be required to acknowledge that you will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such new notes.

Risks Related to Our Business

Oil and natural gas prices are volatile. A substantial or extended decline in oil and natural gas prices may adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations and our ability to meet our capital expenditure obligations and financial commitments.

        The prices we receive for our oil and natural gas production heavily influence our revenue, profitability, access to capital and future rate of growth. Oil and natural gas are commodities and, therefore, their prices are subject to wide fluctuations in response to relatively minor changes in supply and demand. Historically, the market for oil and natural gas has been volatile. This market will likely continue to be volatile in the future. The prices we receive for our production, and the levels of our production, depend on numerous factors beyond our control. These factors include the following:

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        Lower oil and natural gas prices will reduce our cash flows and borrowing ability. We may be unable to obtain needed capital or financing on satisfactory terms, which could lead to a decline in our oil and natural gas reserves as existing reserves are depleted. Substantial decreases in oil and natural gas prices would render uneconomic a significant portion of our exploration, development and exploitation projects. This may result in our having to make significant downward adjustments to our estimated proved reserves. As a result, a substantial or extended decline in oil and natural gas prices may materially and adversely affect our future business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity or ability to finance planned capital expenditures.

Our business requires significant capital expenditures and we may be unable to obtain needed capital or financing on satisfactory terms or at all.

        Our exploration, development and acquisition activities require substantial capital expenditures. Historically, we have funded our capital expenditures through a combination of cash flows from operations, capital contributions or borrowings under our senior secured credit facility or under our old notes. Future cash flows are subject to a number of variables, including the level of production from existing wells, prices of oil and natural gas and our success in developing and producing new reserves. If our cash flow from operations is not sufficient to fund our capital expenditure budget, we may have limited ability to obtain the additional capital necessary to sustain our operations at current levels. We may not be able to obtain debt or equity financing on terms favorable to us or at all. The failure to obtain additional financing could result in a curtailment of our operations relating to exploration and development of our prospects, which in turn could lead to a decline in our oil and natural gas production or reserves, and in some areas a loss of properties.

Drilling for and producing oil and natural gas are high risk activities with many uncertainties that could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

        Our future financial condition and results of operations will depend on the success of our exploitation, exploration, development and production activities. Our oil and natural gas exploration, exploitation, development and production activities are subject to numerous risks beyond our control, including the risk that drilling will not result in commercially viable oil and natural gas production. Our decisions to purchase, explore, develop or otherwise exploit locations or properties will depend in part on the evaluation of information obtained through geophysical and geological analyses, production data and engineering studies, the results of which are often inconclusive or subject to varying interpretations. For a discussion of the uncertainty involved in these processes, see "—Estimating reserves and future net revenues involves uncertainties. Decreases in oil and natural gas prices, or negative revisions to reserve estimates or assumptions as to future oil and natural gas prices, may lead to decreased earnings, losses or impairment of oil and natural gas assets." In addition, our cost of drilling, completing and operating wells is often uncertain before drilling commences. Further, many factors may curtail, delay or cancel our scheduled drilling projects, including the following:

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Federal and state legislation and regulatory initiatives relating to hydraulic fracturing could prohibit projects or result in materially increased costs and additional operating restrictions or delays because of the significance of hydraulic fracturing in our business.

        Hydraulic fracturing is a practice that is used to stimulate production of hydrocarbons, particularly natural gas, from tight formations. The process involves the injection of water, sand and chemicals under pressure into the formation to fracture the surrounding rock and stimulate production. Nearly all of our proved non-producing and proved undeveloped reserves associated with future drilling, recompletion and refracture stimulation projects, or approximately 61% of our total estimated proved reserves as of June 30, 2011, will require hydraulic fracturing. If we are unable to apply hydraulic fracturing to our wells or the process is prohibited or significantly regulated or restricted, we would lose the ability to (i) drill and complete the projects for such proved reserves and (ii) maintain the associated acreage, which would have a material adverse effect on our future business, financial condition, operating results and prospects.

        The process is typically regulated by state oil and gas commissions. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (the "EPA"), however, recently asserted federal regulatory authority over hydraulic fracturing involving diesel additives under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act's ("SDWA") Underground Injection Control ("UIC") Program by posting a new requirement on its website that requires facilities to obtain permits to use diesel fuel in hydraulic fracturing operations. The U.S. Energy Policy Act of 2005, which exempts hydraulic fracturing from regulation under the SDWA, prohibits the use of diesel fuel in the fracturing process without a UIC permit. Industry groups have filed suit challenging the EPA's recent decisions as a "final agency action" and, thus, in violation of the notice-and-comment rulemaking procedures of the Administrative Procedure Act. At the same time, the EPA has commenced a study of the potential environmental impacts of hydraulic fracturing activities, with results of the study anticipated to be available by late 2012, and a committee of the House of Representatives is conducting an investigation of hydraulic fracturing practices. On November 3, 2011, the EPA released its Plan to Study the Potential Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing on Drinking Water Resources. The study will include both analysis of existing data and investigative activities designed to generate future data. The EPA intends to release a first report on the results of this study in 2012 and an additional report in 2014 synthesizing the longer-term research projects. Furthermore, on August 23, 2011, the EPA published a proposed rule in the Federal Register to establish new emissions standards to reduce volatile organic compounds ("VOC") emissions from several types of processes and equipment used in the oil and gas industry, including a 95% reduction in VOCs emitted during the construction or modification of hydraulically-fractured wells. In addition, legislation is pending in Congress to repeal the hydraulic fracturing exemption from the SDWA, provide for federal regulation of hydraulic fracturing, and require public disclosure of the chemicals used in the fracturing process. Finally, on October 20, 2011, the EPA announced its plan to propose federal pre-treatment standards for wastewater generated during the hydraulic fracturing process. Hydraulic fracturing stimulation requires the use of a significant volume of water with some resulting "flowback," as well as "produced water." The EPA asserts that this water may contain radioactive materials and other pollutants and, therefore, may deteriorate drinking water quality if not properly treated before discharge. The Clean Water Act prohibits the discharge of wastewater into federal or state waters. Thus, "flowback" and "produced water" must either be injected into permitted disposal wells or transported to public or private treatment facilities for treatment. The EPA asserts that due to some

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contaminants in hydraulic fracturing wastewater, most treatment facilities are unable to properly treat the wastewater before introducing it into public waters. If adopted, the new pre-treatment rules will require shale gas operations to pre-treat wastewater before transferring it to treatment facilities.

        Further, certain members of Congress have called upon: (i) the U.S. Government Accountability Office to investigate how hydraulic fracturing might adversely affect water resources; (ii) the SEC to investigate the natural gas industry and any possible misleading of investors or the public regarding the economic feasibility of pursuing natural gas deposits in shales by means of hydraulic fracturing; and (iii) the U.S. Energy Information Administration to provide a better understanding of that agency's estimates regarding natural gas reserves, including reserves from shale formations, as well as uncertainties associated with those estimates. Finally, the Shale Gas Subcommittee of the Secretary of Energy Advisory Board released a report on August 11, 2011, proposing recommendations to reduce the potential environmental impacts from shale gas production. These ongoing or proposed studies, depending on their degree of pursuit and any meaningful results obtained, could spur initiatives to further regulate hydraulic fracturing under the SDWA or other regulatory mechanism.

        Some states have adopted, and other states are considering adopting, regulations that could restrict hydraulic fracturing in certain circumstances or otherwise require the public disclosure of chemicals used in the hydraulic fracturing process. For example, pursuant to legislation adopted by the State of Texas in June 2011, the Railroad Commission of Texas (the "RRC") published a proposed rule on September 9, 2011 requiring disclosure to the RRC and the public of certain information regarding the components used in the hydraulic fracturing process. In addition to state law, local land use restrictions, such as city ordinances, may restrict or prohibit the performance of well drilling in general and/or hydraulic fracturing in particular.

        If these or any other new laws or regulations that significantly restrict hydraulic fracturing are adopted, such laws could make it more difficult or costly for us to drill and produce from conventional or tight formations as well as make it easier for third parties opposing the hydraulic fracturing process to initiate legal proceedings. In addition, if hydraulic fracturing is regulated at the federal level, fracturing activities could become subject to additional permitting and financial assurance requirements, more stringent construction specifications, increased monitoring, reporting and recordkeeping obligations, plugging and abandonment requirements and also to attendant permitting delays and potential increases in costs. These developments, as well as new laws or regulations, could cause us to incur substantial compliance costs, and compliance or the consequences of failure to comply by us could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. At this time, it is not possible to estimate the potential impact on our business that may arise if federal or state legislation governing hydraulic fracturing is enacted into law.

Estimating reserves and future net revenues involves uncertainties. Decreases in oil and natural gas prices, or negative revisions to reserve estimates or assumptions as to future oil and natural gas prices, may lead to decreased earnings, losses or impairment of oil and natural gas assets.

        The reserve data included in this prospectus represent estimates. Reserve estimation is a subjective process of evaluating underground accumulations of oil and natural gas that cannot be measured in an exact manner. Reserves that are "proved reserves" are those estimated quantities of crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids that geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty are recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions and that relate to projects for which the extraction of hydrocarbons must have commenced or the operator must be reasonably certain will commence within a reasonable time.

        The estimation process relies on interpretations of available geological, geophysical, engineering and production data. There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of proved reserves and in projecting future rates of production and timing of developmental expenditures,

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including many factors beyond the control of the producer. In addition, the estimates of future net revenues from our proved reserves and the present value of such estimates are based upon certain assumptions about future production levels, prices and costs that may not prove to be correct.

        Quantities of proved reserves are estimated based on economic conditions in existence during the period of assessment. Changes to oil and gas prices in the markets for such commodities may have the impact of shortening the economic lives of certain fields because it becomes uneconomic to produce all recoverable reserves on such fields, which reduces proved property reserve estimates.

        If negative revisions in the estimated quantities of proved reserves were to occur, it would have the effect of increasing the rates of depreciation, depletion and amortization on the affected properties, which would decrease earnings or result in losses through higher depreciation, depletion and amortization expense. These revisions, as well as revisions in the assumptions of future cash flows of these reserves, may also trigger impairment losses on certain properties, which would result in a noncash charge to earnings.

Our estimates of proved reserves as of December 31, 2009, December 31, 2010 and June 30, 2011 have been prepared under current SEC rules that went into effect for fiscal years ending on or after December 31, 2009, which may make comparisons to prior periods difficult and could limit our ability to book additional proved undeveloped reserves in the future.

        This prospectus presents estimates of our proved reserves as of December 31, 2009, December 31, 2010 and June 30, 2011, which have been prepared and presented under SEC rules that are effective for fiscal years ending on or after December 31, 2009, and require SEC reporting companies to prepare their reserve estimates using revised reserve definitions and revised pricing based on a 12-month unweighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month pricing. The previous rules required that reserve estimates be calculated using last-day-of-the-year pricing. The pricing that was used for estimates of our reserves as of June 30, 2011 was $86.60 per barrel for condensate and oil and $4.00 per MMBtu for gas without giving any effect to our commodity hedges. These prices are the unweighted arithmetic average of the first day of the month price for the 12 calendar months ending June 30, 2011 and were held constant for the life of each property. Product prices which were actually used for each property reflect all appropriate adjustments including gravity, quality, local conditions, fuel and shrinkage and/or distance to market. As a result of this change in pricing methodology, direct comparisons of reserve amounts reported for periods prior to 2009 may be more difficult.

        Another impact of the current SEC rules is a general requirement that, subject to limited exceptions, proved undeveloped reserves may only be booked if they relate to wells scheduled to be drilled within five years after the date of booking. This new rule has limited and may continue to limit our potential to book additional proved undeveloped reserves as we pursue our drilling program. Moreover, we may be required to write down our proved undeveloped reserves if we do not drill those wells within the required five-year timeframe.

Our identified potential drilling locations are scheduled out over many years, making them susceptible to uncertainties that could materially alter the occurrence or timing of their drilling, which in certain instances could prevent production prior to the expiration date of leases for such locations. In addition, we may not be able to raise the substantial amount of capital that would be necessary to drill a substantial portion of our identified potential drilling locations.

        Our management team has specifically identified and scheduled certain potential drilling locations as an estimation of our future multi-year drilling activities on our existing acreage. These potential drilling locations represent a significant part of our growth strategy. Our ability to drill and develop these potential drilling locations depends on a number of uncertainties, including oil and natural gas prices, the availability and cost of capital, drilling and production costs, availability of drilling services

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and equipment, drilling results, lease expirations, gathering system, marketing and pipeline transportation constraints, regulatory approvals and other factors. Because of these uncertain factors, we do not know if the numerous potential drilling locations we have identified will ever be drilled or if we will be able to produce oil or natural gas from these or any other potential drilling locations. In addition, unless production is established within the spacing units covering the undeveloped acres on which some of the potential locations are obtained, the leases for such acreage will expire. As such, our actual drilling activities may materially differ from those presently identified.

If commodity prices decrease, we may be required to take write-downs of the carrying values of our properties.

        Accounting rules require that we periodically review the carrying value of our properties for possible impairment. Based on prevailing commodity prices and specific market factors and circumstances at the time of prospective impairment reviews, and the continuing evaluation of development plans, production data, economics and other factors, we may be required to write down the carrying value of our properties. A write-down constitutes a non-cash charge to earnings. We may incur impairment charges in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations for the periods in which such charges are taken.

Unless we replace our oil and natural gas reserves, our reserves and production will decline, which would adversely affect our future cash flows and results of operations.

        Producing oil and natural gas reservoirs generally are characterized by declining production rates that vary depending upon reservoir characteristics and other factors. Unless we conduct successful ongoing exploration, development and exploitation activities or continually acquire properties containing proved reserves, our proved reserves will decline as those reserves are produced. Our future oil and natural gas reserves and production, and therefore our future cash flow and results of operations, are highly dependent on our success in efficiently developing and exploiting our current reserves and economically finding or acquiring additional recoverable reserves. We may not be able to develop, exploit, find or acquire sufficient additional reserves to replace our current and future production. If we are unable to replace our current and future production, the value of our reserves will decrease, and our business, financial condition and results of operations would be adversely affected.

Currently, we receive significant incremental cash flows as a result of our hedging activity. To the extent we are unable to obtain future hedges at effective prices consistent with those we have received to date and oil and natural gas prices do not improve, our cash flows and financial condition may be adversely impacted.

        To achieve more predictable cash flows and reduce our exposure to downward price fluctuations, as of November 25, 2011, we have entered into hedge contracts for approximately 5.3 million Bbls of our crude oil production and 36.2 million MMBtu of our natural gas production for settlement between November 2011 and December 2014. We are currently realizing a significant benefit from these hedge positions. If future oil and natural gas prices remain comparable to current prices, we expect that this benefit will decline materially over the life of the hedges, which cover decreasing volumes at declining prices through December 2014. If we are unable to enter into new hedge contracts in the future at favorable pricing and for a sufficient amount of our production, our financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. For additional information regarding our hedging activities, please see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Commodity derivative financial instruments."

Our derivative activities could result in financial losses or could reduce our earnings.

        To achieve more predictable cash flows and reduce our exposure to adverse fluctuations in the prices of oil and natural gas, we enter into derivative instrument contracts for a portion of our oil and

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natural gas production, including collars, puts and basis swaps. In accordance with applicable accounting principles, we are required to record our derivative financial instruments at fair market value and they are included on our balance sheets as assets or liabilities and in our statements of operation as realized or unrealized gains. Losses on derivatives are included in our cash flows from operating activities. Accordingly, our earnings may fluctuate significantly as a result of changes in fair value of our derivative instruments.

        Derivative instruments also expose us to the risk of financial loss in some circumstances, including when:

        In addition, derivative arrangements could limit the benefit we would receive from increases in the prices for oil and natural gas, which could also have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.

The inability of our significant customers to meet their obligations to us may materially adversely affect our financial results.

        In addition to credit risk related to receivables from commodity derivative contracts, our principal exposure to credit risk is through net joint operations receivables (approximately $16.6 million at September 30, 2011) and the sale of our oil and natural gas production (approximately $41.3 million in receivables at September 30, 2011), which we market to energy marketing companies, refineries and affiliates. Joint interest receivables arise from billing entities who own partial interest in the wells we operate. These entities participate in our wells primarily based on their ownership in leases on which we wish to drill. We are generally unable to control which co-owners participate in our wells. We are also subject to credit risk due to the concentration of our oil and natural gas receivables with several significant customers. The largest purchaser of our oil and natural gas accounted for approximately 34.5% of our total oil and natural gas revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. We do not require our customers to post collateral. The inability or failure of our significant customers or joint working interest owners to meet their obligations to us or their insolvency or liquidation may materially adversely affect our financial results.

We may incur substantial losses and be subject to substantial liability claims as a result of our operations. Additionally we may not be insured for, or our insurance may be inadequate to protect us against, these risks.

        We are not insured against all risks. Losses and liabilities arising from uninsured and underinsured events could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. Our oil and natural gas exploration and production activities are subject to all of the operating risks associated with drilling for and producing oil and natural gas, including the possibility of:

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        Any of these risks could adversely affect our ability to conduct operations or result in substantial losses to us as a result of:

        We may elect not to obtain insurance if we believe that the cost of available insurance is excessive relative to the risks presented. In addition, pollution and environmental risks generally are not fully insurable. The occurrence of an event that is not fully covered by insurance could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Locations that we decide to drill may not yield oil or natural gas in commercially viable quantities.

        Locations that we decide to drill that do not yield oil or natural gas in commercially viable quantities will adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. In this prospectus, we describe some of our current drilling locations and our plans to explore those drilling locations. Our drilling locations are in various stages of evaluation, ranging from those that are ready to drill to those that will require substantial additional seismic data processing and interpretation before a decision can be made to proceed with the drilling of such locations. There is no way to predict in advance of drilling and testing whether any particular drilling location will yield oil or natural gas in sufficient quantities to recover drilling or completion costs or to be economically viable. The use of seismic data and other technologies and the study of producing fields in the same area will not enable us to know conclusively prior to drilling whether oil or natural gas will be present or, if present, whether oil or natural gas will be present in commercial quantities. We cannot assure you that the analogies we draw from available data from other wells, more fully explored locations or producing fields will result in successfully locating oil or natural gas in commercial quantities on our prospective acreage.

Our use of 2D and 3D seismic data is subject to interpretation and may not accurately identify the presence of oil and natural gas, which could adversely affect the results of our drilling operations.

        Even when properly used and interpreted, 2D and 3D seismic data and visualization techniques are only tools used to assist geoscientists in identifying subsurface structures and hydrocarbon indicators and do not enable geoscientists to know whether hydrocarbons are, in fact, present in those structures or the amount of hydrocarbons. We employ 3D seismic technology with respect to certain of our projects. The implementation and practical use of 3D seismic technology is relatively new, unproven and unconventional, which can lessen its effectiveness, at least in the near term, and increase our costs. In addition, the use of 3D seismic and other advanced technologies requires greater pre-drilling expenditures than traditional drilling strategies, and we could incur greater drilling and exploration expenses as a result of such expenditures, which may result in a reduction in our returns. As a result, our drilling activities may not be successful or economical, and our overall drilling success rate or our drilling success rate for activities in a particular area could decline.

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        We often gather 3D seismic data over large areas. Our interpretation of seismic data delineates those portions of an area that we believe are desirable for drilling. Therefore, we may choose not to acquire option or lease rights prior to acquiring seismic data, and, in many cases, we may identify hydrocarbon indicators before seeking option or lease rights in the location. If we are not able to lease those locations on acceptable terms, we will have made substantial expenditures to acquire and analyze 3D data without having an opportunity to attempt to benefit from those expenditures.

Market conditions, the unavailability of satisfactory oil and natural gas gathering, processing or transportation arrangements or operational impediments may adversely affect our access to oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids markets or delay our production.

        The availability of a ready market for our oil and natural gas production depends on a number of factors, including the demand for and supply of oil and natural gas and the proximity of reserves to pipelines, trucking and terminal facilities. Our ability to market our production depends in substantial part on the availability and capacity of gathering systems, pipelines, trucking and processing facilities owned and operated by third parties. Our failure to obtain such services on acceptable terms could materially harm our business. We may be required to shut in wells due to lack of a market or inadequacy or unavailability of oil and natural gas pipeline, trucking, gathering system or processing capacity. In addition, if oil or natural gas quality specifications for the third party oil or natural gas pipelines with which we connect change so as to restrict our ability to transport oil or natural gas, our access to oil and natural gas markets could be impeded. If our production becomes shut in for any of these or other reasons, we would be unable to realize revenue from those wells until other arrangements were made to deliver the products to market.

We are subject to complex federal, state, local and other laws and regulations that could adversely affect the cost, manner or feasibility of conducting our operations or expose us to significant liabilities.

        Our oil and natural gas exploration, production and gathering operations are subject to complex and stringent laws and regulations. In order to conduct our operations in compliance with these laws and regulations, we must obtain and maintain numerous permits, approvals and certificates from various federal, state and local governmental authorities. We may incur substantial costs in order to maintain compliance with these existing laws and regulations. In addition, our costs of compliance may increase if existing laws and regulations are revised or reinterpreted, or if new laws and regulations become applicable to our operations. Such costs could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Failure to comply with laws and regulations applicable to our operations, including any evolving interpretation and enforcement by governmental authorities, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

        See "Business—Regulation of the Oil and Natural Gas Industry" for a further description of the laws and regulations that affect us.

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Our operations may be exposed to significant delays, costs and liabilities as a result of environmental, health and safety requirements applicable to our business activities.

        We may incur significant delays, costs and liabilities as a result of federal, state and local environmental, health and safety requirements applicable to our exploration, development and production activities. These laws and regulations may require us to obtain a variety of permits or other authorizations governing our air emissions, water discharges, waste disposal or other environmental impacts associated with drilling, production and transporting product pipelines or other operations; regulate the sourcing and disposal of water used in the drilling, fracturing and completion processes; limit or prohibit drilling activities in certain areas and on certain lands lying within wilderness, wetlands, frontier and other protected areas; require remedial action to prevent or mitigate pollution from former operations such as plugging abandoned wells or closing earthen pits; and/or impose substantial liabilities for spills, pollution or failure to comply with regulatory filings. In addition, these laws and regulations may restrict the rate of oil or natural gas production. These laws and regulations are complex, change frequently and have tended to become increasingly stringent over time. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may result in the assessment of administrative, civil and criminal penalties, imposition of cleanup and site restoration costs and liens, the suspension or revocation of necessary permits, licenses and authorizations, the requirement that additional pollution controls be installed and, in some instances, issuance of orders or injunctions limiting or requiring discontinuation of certain operations.

        Under certain environmental laws that impose strict as well as joint and several liability, we may be required to remediate contaminated properties currently or formerly operated by us or facilities of third parties that received waste generated by our operations regardless of whether such contamination resulted from the conduct of others or from consequences of our own actions that were in compliance with all applicable laws at the time those actions were taken. In addition, claims for damages to persons or property, including natural resources, may result from the environmental, health and safety impacts of our operations. In addition, the risk of accidental spills or releases from our operations could expose us to significant liabilities under environmental laws. Moreover, public interest in the protection of the environment has increased dramatically in recent years. The trend of more expansive and stringent environmental legislation and regulations applied to the crude oil and natural gas industry could continue, resulting in increased costs of doing business and consequently affecting profitability. To the extent laws are enacted or other governmental action is taken that restricts drilling or imposes more stringent and costly operating, waste handling, disposal and cleanup requirements, our business, prospects, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

        See "Business—Regulation of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety Matters" for a further description of the laws and regulations that affect us.

The unavailability or high cost of additional drilling rigs, equipment, supplies, personnel and oilfield services as well as fees for the cancellation of such services could adversely affect our ability to execute our exploration and development plans within our budget and on a timely basis.

        The demand for and availability of qualified and experienced personnel to drill wells and conduct field operations, geologists, geophysicists, engineers and other professionals in the oil and natural gas industry can fluctuate significantly, often in correlation with oil and natural gas prices, causing periodic shortages. Historically, there have been shortages of drilling and workover rigs, pipe and other equipment as demand for rigs and equipment has increased along with the number of wells being drilled. In particular, the high level of drilling activity in the Permian Basin and Anadarko Granite Wash has resulted in equipment shortages in those areas. We committed to several short-term drilling contracts with various third parties in order to complete various drilling projects. An early termination clause in these contracts requires us to pay significant penalties to the third party should we cease drilling efforts. These penalties could significantly impact our financial statements upon contract

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termination. As a result of these commitments, approximately $1.6 million in stacked rig fees were incurred in 2009. We cannot predict whether these conditions will exist in the future and, if so, what their timing and duration will be. The shortages as well as rig related fees could delay or cause us to incur significant expenditures that are not provided for in our capital budget, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

A change in the jurisdictional characterization of some of our assets by federal, state or local regulatory agencies or a change in policy by those agencies may result in increased regulation of our assets, which may cause our revenues to decline and operating expenses to increase.

        Section 1(b) of the Natural Gas Act of 1938 (the "NGA") exempts natural gas gathering facilities from regulation by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC"). We believe that the natural gas pipelines in our gathering systems meet the traditional tests FERC has used to establish whether a pipeline performs a gathering function and therefore is exempt from the FERC's jurisdiction under the NGA. However, the distinction between FERC-regulated transmission services and federally unregulated gathering services is a fact-based determination. The classification of facilities as unregulated gathering is the subject of ongoing litigation, so the classification and regulation of our gathering facilities are subject to change based on future determinations by FERC, the courts or Congress, which could cause our revenues to decline and operating expenses to increase and may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. In addition, FERC has adopted regulations that may subject certain of our otherwise non-FERC jurisdictional facilities to FERC annual reporting and daily scheduled flow and capacity posting requirements. Additional rules and legislation pertaining to those and other matters may be considered or adopted by FERC from time to time. Failure to comply with those regulations in the future could subject us to civil penalty liability, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

The adoption of climate change legislation or regulations restricting emissions of "greenhouse gases" could result in increased operating costs and reduced demand for the oil and natural gas we produce.

        Recent scientific studies have suggested that emissions of certain gases, commonly referred to as "greenhouse gases" ("GHGs"), including carbon dioxide and methane, may be contributing to warming of the earth's atmosphere and other climatic changes. In response to such studies, Congress has, from time to time, considered legislation to reduce emissions of GHGs. One bill approved by the House of Representatives in June 2009, known as the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, would have required an 80% reduction in emissions of GHGs from sources within the U.S. between 2012 and 2050 but was not approved by the Senate in the 2009-2010 legislative session. Congress is likely to continue to consider similar bills. Moreover, almost half of the states have already taken legal measures to reduce emissions of GHGs, through the planned development of GHG emission inventories and/or regional GHG cap and trade programs or other mechanisms. Most cap and trade programs work by requiring major sources of emissions, such as electric power plants, or major producers of fuels, such as refineries and gas processing plants, to acquire and surrender emission allowances corresponding with their annual emissions of GHGs. The number of allowances available for purchase is reduced each year until the overall GHG emission reduction goal is achieved. As the number of GHG emission allowances declines each year, the cost or value of allowances is expected to escalate significantly. Some states have enacted renewable portfolio standards, which require utilities to purchase a certain percentage of their energy from renewable fuel sources.

        In addition, in December 2009, the EPA determined that emissions of carbon dioxide, methane and other GHGs present an endangerment to human health and the environment, because emissions of such gases are, according to the EPA, contributing to warming of the earth's atmosphere and other climatic changes. These findings by the EPA allow the agency to proceed with the adoption and implementation of regulations that would restrict emissions of GHGs under existing provisions of the

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federal Clean Air Act. In response to its endangerment finding, the EPA recently adopted two sets of rules regarding possible future regulation of GHG emissions under the Clean Air Act, one of which purports to regulate emissions of GHGs from motor vehicles and the other of which would regulate emissions of GHGs from large stationary sources of emissions such as power plants or industrial facilities. The motor vehicle rule was finalized in April 2010 and became effective in January 2011 but it does not require immediate reductions in GHG emissions. The stationary source rule was adopted in May 2010 and also became effective January 2011 and is the subject of several pending lawsuits filed by industry groups and Congress is considering legislation to limit or strip the EPA's authority to regulate GHGs. Additionally, in September 2009, the EPA issued a final rule requiring the reporting of GHG emissions from specified large GHG emission sources in the U.S., including natural gas liquids fractionators and local natural gas/distribution companies, beginning in 2011 for emissions occurring in 2010. The EPA also plans to implement GHG emissions standards for power plants in May 2012 and for refineries in November 2012.

        The adoption of legislation or regulatory programs to reduce GHG emissions could require us to incur increased operating costs, such as costs to purchase and operate emissions control systems, to acquire emissions allowances or comply with new regulatory requirements. Any GHG emissions legislation or regulatory programs applicable to power plants or refineries could also increase the cost of consuming, and thereby reduce demand for, the oil and natural gas we produce. Consequently, legislation and regulatory programs to reduce GHG emissions could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The derivatives reform legislation adopted by Congress could have a material adverse impact on our ability to hedge risks associated with our business.

        On July 21, 2010, The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 ("Dodd-Frank") was signed into law by the U.S. President. Title VII of Dodd-Frank ("Title VII") imposes comprehensive regulation on the over-the-counter ("OTC") derivatives marketplace and could affect the use of derivatives in hedging transactions. Among other things, Title VII subjects swap dealers and major swap participants to substantial supervision and regulation, including capital standards, margin requirements, business conduct standards, and recordkeeping and reporting requirements. Title VII also requires central clearing for many transactions entered into between swap dealers, major swap participants and other entities. All swaps subject to the clearing requirement must be executed on a regulated exchange or a swap execution facility ("SEF"), unless no exchange or SEF makes it available for trading. For these purposes, although not yet defined by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the "CFTC"), it is expected that a major swap participant generally will be someone other than a dealer (i) who maintains a "substantial" net position in outstanding swaps, excluding swaps used for commercial hedging or for reducing or mitigating commercial risk, or (ii) whose positions create substantial net counterparty exposure that could have serious adverse effects on the financial stability of the U.S. banking system or financial markets. In addition, Title VII provides the CFTC with express authority to impose aggregate position limits on derivatives related to energy commodities, including contracts traded on exchanges, SEFs, non-U.S. boards of trade and swaps that are not centrally cleared. The CFTC has proposed a large number of rules to implement Title VII in multiple rulemaking proceedings and has finalized a number of such rules, including a rule imposing position limits (the "Position Limit Rule"). Under Dodd-Frank, the CFTC was generally given until July 16, 2011 to adopt final rules under Title VII, though some rules were required to be completed sooner. However, most of the contemplated rules were not adopted by such date. Since certain provisions of Dodd-Frank reference terms that require further definition or repeal provisions of current law, such provisions will not be effective until there is a final rulemaking with respect thereto. To address the consequences of this regulatory backlog and avoid "undue disruption" to current practices during the transition to the new regulatory regime, the CFTC issued a final order, effective July 14, 2011, which (i) delays the effectiveness of provisions which reference certain terms that require further

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definition until the earlier of the effective date of the final rule defining the referenced term or December 31, 2011 and (ii) exempts transactions in exempt and excluded commodities which comply with Part 35 of the CFTC's regulations from the regulation under the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended by Dodd-Frank. Part 35 provides a safe harbor from CFTC regulation for certain transactions between "eligible swap participants", such as Laredo, until the earlier of the repeal, withdrawal or replacement of Part 35 or December 31, 2011. The CFTC continues to propose and finalize rules to implement Title VII in multiple rulemaking proceedings. It is not possible at this time to predict the outcome of these proceedings or, in the case of final rules, the impact that such rules will have on the new regulatory regime and the OTC derivatives marketplace. The International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. and the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association, two industry associations, have filed a suit in federal court in the District of Columbia against the CFTC challenging the Position Limit Rule. To the extent that such challenge to the Position Limit Rule is unsuccessful, the Position Limit Rule, and in any event, any other laws or regulations that may be adopted that subject us or our counterparties to additional capital or margin requirements relating to, or to additional restrictions on, trading and commodity positions could have a material adverse effect on our ability to hedge risks associated with our business or on the cost of our hedging activity.

Many of the anticipated benefits of acquiring Broad Oak may not be realized.

        We acquired Broad Oak with the expectation that the acquisition would result in various benefits, including, among other things, incremental scale and significant additional exposure to attractive vertical and horizontal oil and liquids-rich natural gas opportunities. However, to realize these anticipated benefits, we must successfully integrate Broad Oak into Laredo. If we are not able to achieve these objectives, the anticipated benefits of the acquisition may not be realized fully or at all or may take longer to realize than expected. It is possible that the integration process could take longer than anticipated and could result in the loss of valuable employees or the disruption of our ongoing businesses or inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures, practices, policies and compensation arrangements, which could adversely affect our ability to achieve the anticipated benefits of the acquisition. Our results of operations could also be adversely affected by any issues attributable to either company's operations that arise or are based on events or actions that occurred prior to the closing of the acquisition. We may have difficulty addressing possible differences in corporate cultures and management philosophies. Integration efforts will also divert management attention and resources. These integration activities could have an adverse effect on our business during the transition period. The integration process is subject to a number of uncertainties and no assurance can be given regarding when, or even if, the anticipated benefits will be realized. Failure to achieve these anticipated benefits could result in increased costs or decreases in the amount of expected revenues and could adversely affect Laredo's future business, financial condition, operating results and prospects.

Competition in the oil and natural gas industry is intense, making it more difficult for us to acquire properties, market oil and natural gas and secure trained personnel.

        Our ability to acquire additional locations and to find and develop reserves in the future will depend on our ability to evaluate and select suitable properties and to consummate transactions in a highly competitive environment for acquiring properties, marketing oil and natural gas and securing trained personnel. Also, there is substantial competition for capital available for investment in the oil and natural gas industry, especially in our focus areas. Many of our competitors possess and employ financial, technical and personnel resources substantially greater than ours. Those companies may be able to pay more for productive oil and natural gas properties and exploratory locations and to evaluate, bid for and purchase a greater number of properties and locations than our financial or personnel resources permit. In addition, other companies may be able to offer better compensation packages to attract and retain qualified personnel than we are able to offer. The cost to attract and retain qualified personnel has increased due to competition and may increase substantially in the

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future. We may not be able to compete successfully in the future in acquiring prospective reserves, developing reserves, marketing hydrocarbons, attracting and retaining quality personnel and raising additional capital, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.

The loss of senior management or technical personnel could materially adversely affect operations.

        We depend on the services of our senior management and technical personnel. The loss of the services of our senior management or technical personnel, including Randy A. Foutch, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, could have a material adverse effect on our operations. We do not maintain, nor do we plan to obtain, any insurance against the loss of any of these individuals.

A significant reduction by Warburg Pincus of its ownership interest in us could adversely affect us.

        Warburg Pincus is our largest investor and two members of our board of directors are affiliates of Warburg Pincus. We believe that Warburg Pincus' substantial ownership interest in us provides them with an economic incentive to assist us to be successful. Following the 180th day after the closing of the potential initial public offering of LPH's common stock, however, Warburg Pincus will not be subject to any obligation to maintain their ownership interest in us and may elect at any time thereafter to sell all or a substantial portion of or otherwise reduce its ownership interest in us. If Warburg Pincus sells all or a substantial portion of its ownership interest in us, Warburg Pincus may have less incentive to assist in our success and its affiliates that are members of our board of directors may resign. Such actions could adversely affect our ability to successfully implement our business strategies which could adversely affect our cash flows or results of operations.

We have limited control over activities on properties we do not operate, which could materially reduce our production and revenues.

        A portion of our business activities is conducted through joint operating agreements under which we own partial interests in oil and natural gas properties. If we do not operate the properties in which we own an interest, we do not have control over normal operating procedures, expenditures or future development of the underlying properties. The failure of an operator of our wells to adequately perform operations or an operator's breach of the applicable agreements could materially reduce our production and revenues. The success and timing of our drilling and development activities on properties operated by others, therefore, depends upon a number of factors outside of our control, including the operator's timing and amount of capital expenditures, expertise and financial resources, inclusion of other participants in drilling wells and use of technology. Because we do not have a majority interest in most wells that we do not operate, we may not be in a position to remove the operator in the event of poor performance.

Seasonal weather conditions and lease stipulations adversely affect our ability to conduct drilling activities in some of the areas where we operate.

        Oil and natural gas operations in our operating areas can be adversely affected by seasonal weather conditions and lease stipulations designed to protect various wildlife. This limits our ability to operate in those areas and can intensify competition during those months for drilling rigs, oilfield equipment, services, supplies and qualified personnel, which may lead to periodic shortages. These constraints and the resulting shortages or high costs could delay our operations and materially increase our operating and capital costs.

Increases in interest rates could adversely affect our business.

        Our business and operating results can be harmed by factors such as the availability, terms of and cost of capital, increases in interest rates or a reduction in credit rating. These changes could cause our cost of doing business to increase, limit our ability to pursue acquisition opportunities, reduce our cash

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flow available for drilling and place us at a competitive disadvantage. For example, as of November 25, 2011, we have approximately $337.5 million of additional borrowing capacity under our senior secured credit facility, subject to compliance with financial covenants. The impact of a 1.0% increase in interest rates on an assumed borrowing of the full $712.5 million available under our senior secured credit facility would result in increased annual interest expense of approximately $7.1 million and a corresponding decrease in our net income before the effects of increased interest rates on the value of our interest rate contracts. Recent and continuing disruptions and volatility in the global financial markets may lead to a contraction in credit availability impacting our ability to finance our operations. We require continued access to capital. A significant reduction in our cash flows from operations or the availability of credit could materially and adversely affect our ability to achieve our planned growth and operating results.

We may be subject to risks in connection with acquisitions of properties.

        The successful acquisition of producing properties requires an assessment of several factors, including:

        The accuracy of these assessments is inherently uncertain. Our assessment will not reveal all existing or potential problems nor will it permit us to become sufficiently familiar with the properties to fully assess their deficiencies and capabilities. Inspections may not always be performed on every well, and environmental problems are not necessarily observable even when an inspection is undertaken. Even when problems are identified, the seller may be unwilling or unable to provide effective contractual protection against all or part of the problems. We often are not entitled to contractual indemnification for environmental liabilities and acquire properties on an "as is" basis. Even in those circumstances in which we have contractual indemnification rights for pre-closing liabilities, it remains possible that the seller will not be able to fulfill its contractual obligations. Problems with properties we acquire could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may be unable to make attractive acquisitions or successfully integrate acquired businesses, and any inability to do so may disrupt our business and hinder our ability to grow.

        In the future we may make acquisitions of businesses that complement or expand our current business. We may not be able to identify attractive acquisition opportunities. Even if we do identify attractive acquisition opportunities, we may not be able to complete the acquisition or do so on commercially acceptable terms.

        The success of any completed acquisition will depend on our ability to integrate effectively the acquired business into our existing operations. The process of integrating acquired businesses may involve unforeseen difficulties and may require a disproportionate amount of our managerial and financial resources. In addition, possible future acquisitions may be larger and for purchase prices significantly higher than those paid for earlier acquisitions. No assurance can be given that we will be able to identify additional suitable acquisition opportunities, negotiate acceptable terms, obtain financing for acquisitions on acceptable terms or successfully acquire identified targets. Our failure to achieve consolidation savings, to incorporate the acquired businesses and assets into our existing operations successfully or to minimize any unforeseen operational difficulties could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

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We have incurred losses from operations for various periods since our inception and may do so in the future.

        We incurred net losses from our inception to the year ended December 31, 2006 of approximately $1.8 million and for each of the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009 of approximately $6.1 million, $192.0 million and $184.5 million, respectively. Our financial statements include deferred tax assets, which require management's judgment when evaluating whether they will be realized. Our development of and participation in an increasingly larger number of locations has required and will continue to require substantial capital expenditures. The uncertainty and factors described throughout this section may impede our ability to economically find, develop, exploit and acquire oil and natural gas reserves and realize our deferred tax assets. As a result, we may not be able to achieve or sustain profitability or positive cash flows from operating activities in the future. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates."

The inability of one or more of our customers to meet their obligations may adversely affect our financial results.

        Substantially all of our accounts receivable result from oil and natural gas sales or joint interest billings to third parties in the energy industry. At September 30, 2011, three customers accounted for more than 10% of our oil and gas sales receivables: Enterprise Products Partners, LP 35%, Targa Resources Partners, LP 16% and PVR Midstream, LLC 13%. This concentration of customers and joint interest owners may impact our overall credit risk in that these entities may be similarly affected by changes in economic and other conditions. In addition, our oil and natural gas hedging arrangements expose us to credit risk in the event of nonperformance by counterparties. Current economic circumstances and the increased bankruptcies may further increase these risks.

We may incur more taxes and certain of our projects may become uneconomic if certain federal income tax deductions currently available with respect to oil and natural gas exploration and development are eliminated as a result of future legislation.

        The President's proposed budget for fiscal year 2012 contains a proposal to eliminate certain key U.S. federal income tax preferences currently available to oil and natural gas exploration and production companies. These changes include, but are not limited to (i) the repeal of the percentage depletion allowance for oil and natural gas properties, (ii) the elimination of current deductions for intangible drilling and development costs, (iii) the elimination of the deduction for certain U.S. production activities and (iv) an extension of the amortization period for certain geological and geophysical expenditures. It is unclear whether any of the foregoing changes will actually be enacted or how soon any such changes could become effective. The passage of any legislation as a result of the budget proposal or any other similar change in U.S. federal income tax law could eliminate certain tax deductions that are currently available with respect to oil and natural gas exploration and development. Any such change could materially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations by increasing the costs we incur which would in turn make it uneconomic to drill some locations if commodity prices are not sufficiently high, resulting in lower revenues and decreases in production and reserves.

Loss of our information and computer systems could adversely affect our business.

        We are heavily dependent on our information systems and computer based programs, including our well operations information, seismic data, electronic data processing and accounting data. If any of such programs or systems were to fail or create erroneous information in our hardware or software network infrastructure, possible consequences include our loss of communication links, inability to find, produce, process and sell oil and natural gas and inability to automatically process commercial transactions or engage in similar automated or computerized business activities. Any such consequence could have a material adverse effect on our business.

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EXCHANGE OFFER

Purpose and Effect of the Exchange Offer

        At each closing of the offerings of the old notes, we entered into a registration rights agreement with the initial purchasers pursuant to which we agreed, for the benefit of the holders of the old notes, at our cost, to do the following:

        We agreed to offer the new notes in exchange for surrender of the old notes upon the SEC's declaring the exchange offer registration statement effective. We agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the exchange offer registration statement to be effective continuously, and to keep the exchange offer open for a period of not less than 20 business days after the date we mail notice of the exchange offer to the holders of the old notes.

        For each old note surrendered to us pursuant to the exchange offer, the holder of such old note will receive a new note having a principal amount equal to that of the surrendered old note. Interest on each new note will accrue from the last interest payment date on which interest was paid on the surrendered old note or, if no interest has been paid on such old note, from the date of issuance of such old note. The registration rights agreements also contain agreements to include in the prospectus for the exchange offer certain information necessary to allow a broker-dealer who holds old notes that were acquired for its own account as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities (other than old notes acquired directly from us) to exchange such old notes pursuant to the exchange offer and to satisfy the prospectus delivery requirements in connection with resales of new notes received by such broker-dealer in the exchange offer. We agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain the effectiveness of the exchange offer registration statement for these purposes for a period of 180 days after the completion of the exchange offer, which period may be extended under certain circumstances.

        The preceding agreement is needed because any broker-dealer who acquires old notes for its own account as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities is required to deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act. This prospectus covers the offer and sale of the new notes pursuant to the exchange offer and the resale of new notes received in the exchange offer by any broker-dealer who held old notes acquired for its own account as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities other than old notes acquired directly from us or one of our affiliates.

        Based on interpretations by the staff of the SEC set forth in no-action letters issued to third parties, we believe that the new notes issued pursuant to the exchange offer would in general be freely tradable after the exchange offer without further registration under the Securities Act. However, any purchaser of old notes who is an "affiliate" of ours or who intends to participate in the exchange offer for the purpose of distributing the related new notes:

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        Each holder of the old notes (other than certain specified holders) who desires to exchange old notes for the new notes in the exchange offer will be required to make the representations described below under "—Procedures for Tendering—Your Representations to Us."

        We further agreed to file with the SEC a shelf registration statement to register for public resale old notes held by any holder who provides us with certain information for inclusion in the shelf registration statement if:

        We have agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to keep the shelf registration statement continuously effective until the earlier of one year following its effective date and such time as all notes covered by the shelf registration statement have been sold. We refer to this period as the "shelf effectiveness period."

        The registration rights agreements provide that if the exchange offer is not completed (or, if required, the shelf registration statement is not declared effective or does not automatically become effective when required) on or before the 365th day following the date of the initial issuance of the notes issued on January 20, 2011 (or the date the shelf registration statement is required to be declared effective or automatically becomes effective, as the case may be) then additional interest shall accrue on the principal amount of the old notes at a rate of 0.25% per annum for the first 90-day period immediately following such date and by an additional 0.25% per annum with respect to each subsequent 90-day period, up to a maximum additional rate of 1.00% per annum thereafter, until the exchange offer is completed, the shelf registration statement is declared effective or, if such shelf registration statement ceased to be effective (subject to certain exceptions), again becomes effective or until the second anniversary of the issue date of the old notes, unless such period is extended, as described in the registration rights agreements.

        Holders of the old notes will be required to make certain representations to us (as described in the registration rights agreements) in order to participate in the exchange offer and will be required to deliver information to be used in connection with the shelf registration statement and to provide comments on the shelf registration statement within the time periods set forth in the registration rights agreements in order to have their old notes included in the shelf registration statement.

        If we effect the registered exchange offer, we will be entitled to close the registered exchange offer 20 business days after its commencement as long as we have accepted all old notes validly tendered in accordance with the terms of the exchange offer and no brokers or dealers continue to hold any old notes.

        This summary of the material provisions of the registration rights agreements does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the

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registration rights agreements, copies of which are filed as exhibits to the registration statement which includes this prospectus.

        Except as set forth above, after consummation of the exchange offer, holders of old notes which are the subject of the exchange offer have no registration or exchange rights under the registration rights agreements. See "—Consequences of Failure to Exchange."

Terms of the Exchange Offer

        Subject to the terms and conditions described in this prospectus and in the letter of transmittal, we will accept for exchange any old notes properly tendered and not withdrawn prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date. We will issue new notes in principal amount equal to the principal amount of old notes surrendered in the exchange offer. Old notes may be tendered only for new notes and only in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

        The exchange offer is not conditioned upon any minimum aggregate principal amount of old notes being tendered for exchange.

        As of the date of this prospectus, $550,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the old notes is outstanding. This prospectus and the letter of transmittal are being sent to all registered holders of old notes. There will be no fixed record date for determining registered holders of old notes entitled to participate in the exchange offer.

        We intend to conduct the exchange offer in accordance with the provisions of the registration rights agreements, the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the SEC. Old notes that the holders thereof do not tender for exchange in the exchange offer will remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest. These old notes will continue to be entitled to the rights and benefits such holders have under the indenture relating to the notes.

        We will be deemed to have accepted for exchange properly tendered old notes when we have given oral or written notice of the acceptance to the exchange agent and complied with the applicable provisions of the registration rights agreements. The exchange agent will act as agent for the tendering holders for the purposes of receiving the new notes from us.

        If you tender old notes in the exchange offer, you will not be required to pay brokerage commissions or fees or, subject to the letter of transmittal, transfer taxes with respect to the exchange of old notes. We will pay all charges and expenses, other than certain applicable taxes described below, in connection with the exchange offer. It is important that you read the section labeled "—Fees and Expenses" for more details regarding fees and expenses incurred in the exchange offer.

        We will return any old notes that we do not accept for exchange for any reason without expense to their tendering holder promptly after the expiration or termination of the exchange offer.

Expiration Date

        The exchange offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on January 12, 2012, unless, in our sole discretion, we extend it.

Extensions, Delays in Acceptance, Termination or Amendment

        We expressly reserve the right, at any time or various times, to extend the period of time during which the exchange offer is open. We may delay acceptance of any old notes by giving oral or written notice of such extension to their holders. During any such extensions, all old notes previously tendered will remain subject to the exchange offer, and we may accept them for exchange.

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        If we extend the exchange offer, we will notify the exchange agent orally or in writing of any extension. We will notify the registered holders of old notes of any such extension no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the first business day following the previously scheduled expiration date.

        If any of the conditions described below under "—Conditions to the Exchange Offer" have not been satisfied, we reserve the right, in our sole discretion:

by giving oral or written notice of such delay, extension or termination to the exchange agent. Subject to the terms of the registration rights agreements, we also reserve the right to amend the terms of the exchange offer in any manner.

        Any extension, termination or amendment will be followed promptly by oral or written notice thereof to the registered holders of old notes. If we amend the exchange offer in a manner that we determine to constitute a material change, we will promptly disclose such amendment by means of a prospectus supplement. The supplement will be distributed to the registered holders of the old notes. Depending upon the significance of the amendment and the manner of disclosure to the registered holders, we may extend the exchange offer. In the event of a material change in the exchange offer, including the waiver by us of a material condition, we will extend the exchange offer period if necessary so that at least five business days remain in the exchange offer following notice of the material change.

Conditions to the Exchange Offer

        We will not be required to accept for exchange, or exchange any new notes for, any old notes if the exchange offer, or the making of any exchange by a holder of old notes, would violate applicable law or any applicable interpretation of the staff of the SEC. Similarly, we may terminate the exchange offer as provided in this prospectus before accepting old notes for exchange in the event of such a potential violation.

        In addition, we will not be obligated to accept for exchange the old notes of any holder that has not made to us the representations described under "—Purpose and Effect of the Exchange Offer," "—Procedures for Tendering" and "Plan of Distribution" and such other representations as may be reasonably necessary under applicable SEC rules, regulations or interpretations to allow us to use an appropriate form to register the new notes under the Securities Act.

        We expressly reserve the right to amend or terminate the exchange offer, and to reject for exchange any old notes not previously accepted for exchange, upon the occurrence of any of the conditions to the exchange offer specified above. We will give prompt oral or written notice of any extension, amendment, non-acceptance or termination to the holders of the old notes as promptly as practicable.

        These conditions are for our sole benefit, and we may assert them or waive them in whole or in part at any time or at various times in our sole discretion. If we fail at any time to exercise any of these rights, this failure will not mean that we have waived our rights. Each such right will be deemed an ongoing right that we may assert at any time or at various times.

        In addition, we will not accept for exchange any old notes tendered, and will not issue new notes in exchange for any such old notes, if at such time any stop order has been threatened or is in effect with respect to the registration statement of which this prospectus constitutes a part or the qualification of the indenture relating to the notes under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.

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Procedures for Tendering

        In order to participate in the exchange offer, you must properly tender your old notes to the exchange agent as described below. It is your responsibility to properly tender your old notes. We have the right to waive any defects. However, we are not required to waive defects and are not required to notify you of defects in your tender.

        If you have any questions or need help in exchanging your notes, please call the exchange agent, whose contact information is set forth in "Prospectus Summary—The Exchange Offer—Exchange Agent."

        All of the old notes were issued in book-entry form, and all of the old notes are currently represented by global certificates held for the account of DTC. We have confirmed with DTC that the old notes may be tendered using the Automated Tender Offer Program ("ATOP") instituted by DTC. The exchange agent will establish an account with DTC for purposes of the exchange offer promptly after the commencement of the exchange offer and DTC participants may electronically transmit their acceptance of the exchange offer by causing DTC to transfer their old notes to the exchange agent using the ATOP procedures. In connection with the transfer, DTC will send an "agent's message" to the exchange agent. The agent's message will state that DTC has received instructions from the participant to tender old notes and that the participant agrees to be bound by the terms of the letter of transmittal.

        By using the ATOP procedures to exchange old notes, you will not be required to deliver a letter of transmittal to the exchange agent. However, you will be bound by its terms just as if you had signed it.

        There is no procedure for guaranteed late delivery of the notes.

Determinations Under the Exchange Offer

        We will determine in our sole discretion all questions as to the validity, form, eligibility, time of receipt, acceptance of tendered old notes and withdrawal of tendered old notes. Our determination will be final and binding. We reserve the absolute right to reject any old notes not properly tendered or any old notes our acceptance of which would, in the opinion of our counsel, be unlawful. We also reserve the right to waive any defect, irregularities or conditions of tender as to particular old notes. Our interpretation of the terms and conditions of the exchange offer, including the instructions in the letter of transmittal, will be final and binding on all parties. Unless waived, all defects or irregularities in connection with tenders of old notes must be cured within such time as we shall determine. Although we intend to notify holders of defects or irregularities with respect to tenders of old notes, neither we, the exchange agent nor any other person will incur any liability for failure to give such notification. Tenders of old notes will not be deemed made until such defects or irregularities have been cured or waived. Any old notes received by the exchange agent that are not properly tendered and as to which the defects or irregularities have not been cured or waived will be returned to the tendering holder, unless otherwise provided in the letter of transmittal, promptly following the expiration date.

When We Will Issue New Notes

        In all cases, we will issue new notes for old notes that we have accepted for exchange under the exchange offer only after the exchange agent timely receives:

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Return of Old Notes Not Accepted or Exchanged

        If we do not accept any tendered old notes for exchange or if old notes are submitted for a greater principal amount than the holder desires to exchange, the unaccepted or non-exchanged old notes will be returned without expense to their tendering holder. Such non-exchanged old notes will be credited to an account maintained with DTC. These actions will occur promptly after the expiration or termination of the exchange offer.

Your Representations to Us

        By agreeing to be bound by the letter of transmittal, you will represent to us that, among other things:

Withdrawal of Tenders

        Except as otherwise provided in this prospectus, you may withdraw your tender at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date. For a withdrawal to be effective you must comply with the appropriate procedures of DTC's ATOP system. Any notice of withdrawal must specify the name and number of the account at DTC to be credited with withdrawn old notes and otherwise comply with the procedures of DTC.

        We will determine all questions as to the validity, form, eligibility and time of receipt of notice of withdrawal. Our determination shall be final and binding on all parties. We will deem any old notes so withdrawn not to have been validly tendered for exchange for purposes of the exchange offer.

        Any old notes that have been tendered for exchange but are not exchanged for any reason will be credited to an account maintained with DTC for the old notes. This crediting will take place as soon as practicable after withdrawal, rejection of tender or termination of the exchange offer. You may retender properly withdrawn old notes by following the procedures described under "—Procedures for Tendering" above at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date.

Fees and Expenses

        We will bear the expenses of soliciting tenders. The principal solicitation is being made by mail; however, we may make additional solicitation by facsimile, telephone, electronic mail or in person by our officers and regular employees and those of our affiliates.

        We have not retained any dealer-manager in connection with the exchange offer and will not make any payments to broker-dealers or others soliciting acceptances of the exchange offer. We will, however, pay the exchange agent reasonable and customary fees for its services and reimburse it for its related reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.

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        We will pay the cash expenses to be incurred in connection with the exchange offer. They include:

Transfer Taxes

        We will pay all transfer taxes, if any, applicable to the exchange of old notes under the exchange offer. The tendering holder, however, will be required to pay any transfer taxes, whether imposed on the registered holder or any other person, if a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the exchange of old notes under the exchange offer.

Consequences of Failure to Exchange

        If you do not exchange new notes for your old notes under the exchange offer, you will remain subject to the existing restrictions on transfer of the old notes. In general, you may not offer or sell the old notes unless the offer or sale is either registered under the Securities Act or exempt from registration under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. Except as required by the registration rights agreements, we do not intend to register resales of the old notes under the Securities Act.

Accounting Treatment

        We will record the new notes in our accounting records at the same carrying value as the old notes. This carrying value is the aggregate principal amount of the old notes less any bond discount or plus any bond premium, as reflected in our accounting records on the date of exchange. Accordingly, we will not recognize any gain or loss for accounting purposes in connection with the exchange offer.

Other

        Participation in the exchange offer is voluntary, and you should carefully consider whether to accept. You are urged to consult your financial and tax advisors in making your own decision on what action to take.

        We may in the future seek to acquire untendered old notes in open market or privately negotiated transactions, through subsequent exchange offers or otherwise. We have no present plans to acquire any old notes that are not tendered in the exchange offer or to file a registration statement to permit resales of any untendered old notes.

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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

        The following table sets forth our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the periods presented:

 
  Nine months ended
September 30
  For the years ended December 31,    
 
 
  Pro forma
2011
  2011   Pro forma
2010
  2010   2009   2008   2007   Inception to
December 31,
2006
 

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(1)

    4.0x (2)   5.6x     1.4x (3)   4.2x     (4)   (4)   (4)   (4)

(1)
For purposes of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, "earnings" consists of pretax income (loss) plus fixed charges. "Fixed charges" represents interest incurred, amortization of deferred debt offering costs and that portion of rental expense on operating leases deemed to be the equivalent of interest.

(2)
Because the net proceeds from the offerings of the old notes were used in part to repay indebtedness, the pro forma impact on the amount of fixed charges causes our earnings to cover fixed charges to change by 10% or more for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. At September 30, 2011, we had approximately $525.0 million of borrowings outstanding under our senior secured credit facility and $350.0 million in old notes. The weighted average interest rate paid on amounts outstanding under our senior secured credit facility for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 was 2.49% and under our old notes was 9.5%.

(3)
Because the net proceeds from the offerings of the old notes were used in part to repay indebtedness, the pro forma impact on the amount of fixed charges causes our earnings to cover fixed charges to change by 10% or more for the year ended December 31, 2010. At December 31, 2010, we had approximately $177.5 million of borrowings outstanding under our senior secured credit facility and $100.0 million outstanding under our term loan facility. For the year ended December 31, 2010, the weighted average interest rates paid on amounts outstanding under our senior secured credit facility, the Broad Oak credit facility and our term loan were 4.40%, 4.27% and 9.25%, respectively.

(4)
Due to our net operating losses for each of the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 and for the period from inception to December 31, 2006, the respective ratios of coverage were less than 1:1. To achieve the ratio coverage of 1:1, we would have needed additional earnings of approximately $258.5 million, $245.8 million, $7.5 million and $1.8 million, respectively.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

        The exchange offer is intended to satisfy our obligations under the registration rights agreements. We will not receive any proceeds from the issuance of the new notes in the exchange offer. In consideration for issuing the new notes as contemplated by this prospectus, we will receive old notes in a like principal amount. The form and terms of the new notes are identical in all respects to the form and terms of the old notes, except the new notes will be registered under the Securities Act and will not contain restrictions on transfer, registration rights or provisions for additional interest. Old notes surrendered in exchange for the new notes will be retired and cancelled and will not be reissued. Accordingly, the issuance of the new notes will not result in any change in our outstanding indebtedness.

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SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

        The following financial data should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and our unaudited consolidated financial statements and condensed notes thereto and our audited combined financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus. We believe that the assumptions underlying the preparation of our financial statements are reasonable. The financial information included in this prospectus may not be indicative of our future results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

        Prior to the acquisition of Broad Oak, the majority equity ownership of both Laredo LLC and Broad Oak was effectively controlled by a common owner. For this reason, both the unaudited and audited financial statements included in this prospectus consist of the historical audited combined balance sheets of Laredo LLC (and its historical subsidiaries) as well as Broad Oak, as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the related combined statements of operations, owners' equity and cash flows for each of the three years ended December 31, 2010, the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of Laredo LLC and its subsidiaries, as of September 30, 2011, and the related consolidated statements of operations, owners' equity and cash flows of Laredo LLC and its subsidiaries for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010. As a result, the financial statements included in this prospectus, and the financial and other data contained in this prospectus treat Broad Oak as having been a part of the historical consolidated group of Laredo LLC from inception. Such financial information is not necessarily indicative of the results that would have been obtained if Laredo LLC had owned and operated Broad Oak from its inception.

        Presented below is our financial data for the periods and as of the dates indicated. The combined financial data for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 and the balance sheets as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 are derived from our audited combined financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus. The consolidated financial data for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 and the balance sheet data as of September 30, 2011 are derived from our unaudited consolidated financial statements and the condensed notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus. The combined financial data for the year ended December 31, 2007 and for the period from our inception in May 2006 through December 31, 2006 and the balance sheet data

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as of December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, are derived from our unaudited combined financial statements not included in this prospectus.

 
  For the nine
months ended
September 30,
  For the years ended
December 31,
   
 
 
  Inception to
December 31,
2006
 
(in thousands)
  2011   2010   2010   2009   2008(2)   2007(3)  
 
  (unaudited)
   
   
   
  (unaudited)
  (unaudited)
 

Statement of operations data:

                                           

Revenues:

                                           
 

Oil and gas sales

  $ 368,059   $ 155,422   $ 239,783   $ 94,347   $ 73,883   $ 9,541   $  
 

Natural gas transportation and treating

    3,239     1,636     2,217     2,227     304     87      
 

Drilling and production

    9     3     4     318     548     22      
                               
   

Total revenues

    371,307     157,061     242,004     96,892     74,735     9,650      
                               

Costs and expenses:

                                           
 

Lease operating expenses

    29,258     14,916     21,684     12,531     6,436     2,739      
 

Production and ad valorem taxes

    23,330     10,104     15,699     6,129     5,481     718      
 

Natural gas transportation and treating

    1,167     2,058     2,501     1,416     154          
 

Drilling rig fees

                1,606              
 

Drilling and production

    1,407     166     344     1,076     23          
 

General and administrative

    38,234     22,705     30,908     22,492     23,248     8,828     1,986  
 

Bad debt expense

                91              
 

Accretion of asset retirement obligations

    456     340     475     406     170     2      
 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    114,976     60,363     97,411     58,005     33,102     4,986     43  
 

Impairment expense(1)

    243             246,669     282,587          
                               
   

Total costs and expenses

    209,071     110,652     169,022     350,421     351,201     17,273     2,029  
                               

Operating income (loss)

    162,236     46,409     72,982     (253,529 )   (276,466 )   (7,623 )   (2,029 )
                               

Non-operating income (expense):

                                           
 

Realized and unrealized gain (loss):

                                           
   

Commodity derivative financial instruments, net

    42,851     29,583     11,190     5,744     40,569     1,579      
   

Interest rate derivatives, net

    (1,317 )   (5,890 )   (5,375 )   (3,394 )   (6,274 )        
 

Interest expense

    (35,062 )   (11,869 )   (18,482 )   (7,464 )   (4,410 )   (2,046 )    
 

Interest income

    83     125     150     223     781     633     188  
 

Write-off of deferred loan costs

    (6,195 )                        
 

Loss on disposal of assets

    (35 )   (30 )   (30 )   (85 )   (2 )        
 

Other

    6         1     4     38     1      
                               
     

Non-operating income (expense), net

    331     11,919     (12,546 )   (4,972 )   30,702     167     188  
                               
 

Income (loss) before income taxes

    162,567     58,328     60,436     (258,501 )   (245,764 )   (7,456 )   (1,841 )
                               

Income tax (expense) benefit:

                                           
 

Current

                    (12 )        
 

Deferred

    (58,579 )   (7,170 )   25,812     74,006     53,729     1,405      
                               
   

Total income tax (expense) benefit, net

    (58,579 )   (7,170 )   25,812     74,006     53,717     1,405      
                               

Net income (loss)

  $ 103,988   $ 51,158   $ 86,248   $ (184,495 ) $ (192,047 ) $ (6,051 ) $ (1,841 )
                               

(1)
In 2009, we recognized a pre-tax non-cash full cost ceiling impairment charge of approximately $245.9 million on our proved properties and we reduced materials and supplies by approximately $0.8 million to reflect our materials and supplies at the lower of cost or market. In 2008, we recognized a pre-tax non-cash full cost ceiling impairment charge of approximately $282.6 million on our proved properties. For a discussion of our impairment expense, see Notes, B.5, B.7 and B.19 in our audited combined financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.

(2)
The year ended December 31, 2008 contains the results of operations for the acquisition of properties from Linn Energy beginning August 15, 2008, the closing date of the property acquisition. See Note C in our audited combined financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.

(3)
The year ended December 31, 2007 contains the results of operations for the acquisition of properties from Jones Energy beginning June 5, 2007, the closing date of the property acquisition.

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  As of December 31,  
 
  As of
September 30,
2011
 
(in thousands)
  2010   2009   2008   2007   2006  
 
  (unaudited)
   
   
   
  (unaudited)
  (unaudited)
 

Balance sheet data:

                                     
 

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 28,249   $ 31,235   $ 14,987   $ 13,512   $ 6,937   $ 6,345  
 

Net property and equipment

    1,216,057     809,893     396,100     350,702     137,852     7,539  
 

Total assets

    1,476,503     1,068,160     625,344     578,387     171,799     13,903  
 

Current liabilities

    152,874     150,243     79,265     101,864     16,809     550  
 

Long-term debt

    875,000     491,600     247,100     148,600     44,500      
 

Owners' equity

    438,211     411,099     289,107     318,364     109,707     13,316  

 

 
  For the nine months
ended September 30,
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
  For the years ended December 31,    
 
 
  Inception to
December 31,
2006
 
(in thousands)
  2011   2010   2010   2009   2008   2007  
 
  (unaudited)
   
   
   
  (unaudited)
  (unaudited)
 

Other financial data:

                                           
 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

  $ 233,673   $ 90,754   $ 157,043   $ 112,669   $ 25,332   $ 5,019   $ (1,231 )
 

Net cash used in investing activities

    (519,264 )   (309,557 )   (460,547 )   (361,333 )   (490,897 )   (131,153 )   (7,581 )
 

Net cash provided by financing activities

    282,605     229,040     319,752     250,139     472,140     126,726     15,157  

 

 
  For the nine months
ended September 30,
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
  For the years ended December 31,    
 
 
  Inception to
December 31,
2006
 
(in thousands, unaudited)
  2011   2010   2010   2009   2008   2007  
 

Adjusted EBITDA(1)

  $ 283,850   $ 123,519   $ 194,502   $ 104,908   $ 49,305   $ (1,522 ) $ (1,798 )

(1)
Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. For a definition of Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss) see "—Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Reconciliations" below.

        The historical financial data for January 1, 2007 to June 4, 2007 has been derived from the historical accounting records of Jones Energy, the accounting predecessor to Laredo LLC. The historical financial data for the year ended December 31, 2006 has been derived from the audited statement of revenues and direct operating expenses for the properties acquired from Jones Energy. The statements do not reflect depreciation, depletion and amortization, general and administrative expenses, income taxes or interest expense.

(in thousands, unaudited)
  Period from January 1,
2007 to June 4, 2007
  Year ended
December 31, 2006
 

Statement of operations data:

             

Oil and gas revenues

  $ 6,565   $ 19,722  

Direct operating expenses

    2,280     5,661  
           
 

Excess of revenues over direct operating expenses

  $ 4,285   $ 14,061  
           

Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Reconciliations

        Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure that we define as net income or loss plus adjustments for interest expense, depreciation, depletion and amortization, impairment of long-lived assets, write-off of deferred financing fees and other, gains or losses on sale of assets, unrealized gains or losses on derivative financial instruments, realized losses on interest rate derivatives, realized gains

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or losses on canceled derivative financial instruments, non-cash equity-based compensation and income tax expense or benefit. Adjusted EBITDA, as used and defined by us, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures employed by other companies and is not a measure of performance calculated in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for operating income or loss, net income or loss, cash flows provided by operating activities, used in investing activities and provided by financing activities, or statement of operations or statement of cash flow data prepared in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA provides no information regarding a company's capital structure, borrowings, interest costs, capital expenditures, working capital increases, working capital decreases or its tax position. Adjusted EBITDA does not represent funds available for discretionary use, because those funds are required for debt service, capital expenditures and working capital, income taxes, franchise taxes and other commitments and obligations. However, our management team believes Adjusted EBITDA is useful to an investor in evaluating our operating performance because this measure:

        There are significant limitations to the use of Adjusted EBITDA as a measure of performance, including the inability to analyze the effect of certain recurring and non-recurring items that materially affect our net income or loss, the lack of comparability of results of operations to different companies, and the methods of calculating Adjusted EBITDA and our measurements of Adjusted EBITDA for financial reporting and compliance under our debt agreements differ.

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        The following presents a reconciliation of net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA:

 
  For the nine
months ended
September 30,
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
  For the years ended December 31,    
 
 
  Inception to
December 31,
2006
 
(in thousands, unaudited)
  2011   2010   2010   2009   2008   2007  

Net income (loss)

  $ 103,988   $ 51,158   $ 86,248   $ (184,495 ) $ (192,047 ) $ (6,051 ) $ (1,841 )

Plus:

                                           
 

Interest expense

    35,062     11,869     18,482     7,464     4,410     2,046      
 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    114,976     60,363     97,411     58,005     33,102     4,986     43  
 

Impairment of long-lived assets

    243             246,669     282,587          
 

Write-off of deferred loan costs

    6,195                          
 

Loss on disposal of assets

    35     30     30     85     2          
 

Unrealized losses (gains) on derivative financial instruments

    (44,047 )   (12,023 )   11,648     46,003     (27,174 )   (1,098 )    
 

Realized losses (gains) on interest rate derivatives

    3,732     3,929     5,238     3,764     278          
 

Non-cash equity-based compensation

    5,087     1,023     1,257     1,419     1,864          
 

Income tax expense (benefit)

    58,579     7,170     (25,812 )   (74,006 )   (53,717 )   (1,405 )    
                               

Adjusted EBITDA

  $ 283,850   $ 123,519   $ 194,502   $ 104,908   $ 49,305   $ (1,522 ) $ (1,798 )
                               

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MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

        The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our combined financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. The following discussion contains "forward-looking statements" that reflect our future plans, estimates, beliefs and expected performance. We caution that assumptions, expectations, projections, intentions or beliefs about future events may, and often do, vary from actual results and the differences can be material. Some of the key factors which could cause actual results to vary from our expectations include changes in oil and gas prices, the timing of planned capital expenditures, availability of acquisitions, uncertainties in estimating proved reserves and forecasting production results, potential failure to achieve production from development projects, operational factors affecting the commencement or maintenance of producing wells, the condition of the capital markets generally, as well as our ability to access them, the proximity to and capacity of transportation facilities, and uncertainties regarding environmental regulations or litigation and other legal or regulatory developments affecting our business, as well as those factors discussed below and elsewhere in this prospectus, all of which are difficult to predict. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed may not occur. See "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors."

Overview

        We are an independent energy company focused on the exploration, development and acquisition of oil and natural gas properties in the Permian and Mid-Continent regions of the United States. Laredo Inc. was founded in October 2006 to explore, develop and operate oil and natural gas properties and has grown rapidly through its drilling program and by making strategic acquisitions and joint ventures. On July 1, 2011, we completed the acquisition of Broad Oak whereby Broad Oak became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Laredo Inc.

        Our financial and operating performance for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 included the following:

Mergers and Acquisitions

        Our use of capital for development and acquisitions allows us to direct our capital resources toward what we believe to be the most attractive opportunities as market conditions evolve. We have historically developed properties that we believe will meet or exceed our rate of return criteria. For acquisitions of properties with additional development and exploration potential, we have focused on acquiring properties that we expect to operate so that we can control the timing and implementation of capital spending. We also make acquisitions in core, mature areas where management can leverage knowledge and experience to identify upsides in assets.

        On May 30, 2008 and August 6, 2008, we entered into purchase and sale agreements with Linn Energy to acquire ownership interests in oil and gas properties located in the Verden area in Caddo, Grady and Comanche Counties, Oklahoma, for a total purchase price of $185.0 million, subject to certain adjustments. The first purchase and sale agreement had an effective date of July 1, 2008, and was closed on August 15, 2008. The second purchase and sale agreement completed the acquisition of the remaining property, had an effective date of July 1, 2008 and was closed on August 7, 2008. For additional discussion of completed acquisitions in 2008, refer to Note C in our audited combined

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financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. There were no significant acquisitions during 2009 and 2010.

        As noted above, on July 1, 2011, we consummated the acquisition of Broad Oak for consideration consisting of (i) cash payments totaling $82.0 million to certain members of management and employees, (ii) equity issuances of 86.5 million preferred Laredo LLC units to Warburg Pincus, (iii) equity issuances of 2.4 million preferred Laredo LLC units to certain directors and management of Broad Oak and (iv) repayment of the $265.4 million of outstanding debt under the Broad Oak credit facility. Immediately following the consummation of such transaction, Laredo LLC assigned 100% of its ownership interest in Broad Oak to Laredo Inc. as a contribution to capital. Refer to Note O in our audited combined financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus for further discussion of the Broad Oak acquisition.

Core Areas of Operations

        Our activities are primarily focused in the Wolfberry and deeper horizons of the Permian Basin in West Texas and the Anadarko Granite Wash in the Texas Panhandle and Western Oklahoma. Both of these plays are characterized by high oil and liquids-rich content, multiple target horizons, extensive production histories, long-lived reserves, high drilling success rates and significant initial production rates. As of September 30, 2011, we had an interest in 1,078 gross producing wells and, based on a report by Ryder Scott as of June 30, 2011, operated wells that represent approximately 98% of the value of our proved developed oil and natural gas reserves.

        Additionally, as of September 30, 2011, we have accumulated 324,135 net acres with over 6,100 gross identified potential drilling locations on our existing acreage. We intend to develop this large acreage position to increase our cash flow, production and reserves through continued vertical and horizontal drilling programs.

Reserves and Pricing

        In December 2008, the SEC released the final rule for Modernization of Oil and Gas Reporting. Among other changes, the final rule requires us to report oil and gas reserves and calculate the full cost ceiling value using the unweighted arithmetic average first-day-of-the-month oil and gas prices during the 12-month period ending in the reporting period. The prior SEC rule required using prices at period end. The requirements of this standard became effective for the year ended December 31, 2009. These revisions and requirements affect the comparability between reporting periods prior to and after the year ended December 31, 2009 for reserve volume and value estimates, full cost pool write-down calculations and the calculations of depletion of oil and gas assets.

        Ryder Scott, our independent reserve engineers, estimated 100% of our combined proved reserves at December 31, 2010 and June 30, 2011. Ryder Scott also estimated the proved reserves for the legacy Laredo properties as of December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008. Ryder Scott did not perform evaluations of the Broad Oak properties on these dates. Our estimates of the combined proved reserves at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 are a combination of the Ryder Scott reports on the legacy Laredo properties and Laredo's internal proved reserve estimates of the Broad Oak properties. Based upon such reserve estimates we calculated for Broad Oak, we believe the legacy Laredo properties represented 92% and 96% of such combined proved reserves at year end 2009 and 2008, respectively. As of June 30, 2011, we had 137,052 MBOE of estimated net proved reserves as compared to 136,560 MBOE of estimated net proved reserves at December 31, 2010, 52,519 MBOE of estimated net proved reserves at December 31, 2009 and 44,183 MBOE at December 31, 2008. The unweighted arithmetic average first-day-of-the-month index prices for the prior 12 months were $91.00 per Bbl for oil and $4.02 per MMBtu for natural gas at September 30, 2011, $75.96 per Bbl for oil and $4.15 per MMBtu for natural gas at December 31, 2010, and $57.04 per Bbl for oil and $3.15 per

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MMBtu for natural gas at December 31, 2009. The period end index prices used at December 31, 2008 were $44.60 per Bbl for oil and $4.68 per MMBtu for natural gas. The prices used to estimate proved reserves for all periods did not give effect to derivative transactions, were held constant throughout the life of the properties and have been adjusted for quality, transportation fees, geographical differentials, marketing bonuses or deductions and other factors affecting the price received at the wellhead.

        Prices for oil and natural gas can fluctuate widely in response to relatively minor changes in the global and regional supply of and demand for oil and natural gas, market uncertainty, economic conditions and a variety of additional factors. Since the inception of our oil and natural gas activities, commodity prices have experienced significant fluctuations, and additional changes in commodity prices may significantly affect the economic viability of drilling projects, as well as the economic valuation and economic recovery of oil and gas reserves. We have entered into a number of commodity derivatives, which have allowed us to offset a portion of the changes caused by price fluctuations on our oil and gas production as discussed in "—Sources of Our Revenue" below.

Sources of Our Revenue

        Our revenues are derived from the sale of oil and natural gas within the continental United States and do not include the effects of derivatives. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, our revenues are comprised of sales of approximately, 59% oil, 40% gas and 1% for transportation, gathering, drilling and production. Our revenues may vary significantly from period to period as a result of changes in volumes of production sold or changes in commodity prices. Oil and natural gas prices have historically been volatile. In 2008, prices peaked at over $133.00 per Bbl and $10.00 per MMBtu with subsequent declines to approximately $39.00 per Bbl and $3.00 per MMBtu in 2009. In the first nine months of 2011, West Texas Intermediate Light Sweet Crude Oil prices have been in a range between $85.00 and $110.00 per Bbl and wellhead natural gas market prices have been in a range between $3.90 and $4.27 per MMBtu.

Hedging

        Due to the inherent volatility in oil and gas prices, we use commodity derivative instruments, such as collars, swaps, puts and basis swaps to hedge price risk associated with a significant portion of our anticipated oil and gas production. By removing a majority of the price volatility associated with future production, we expect to reduce, but not eliminate, the potential effects of variability in cash flow from operations due to fluctuations in commodity prices. We have not elected hedge accounting on these derivatives and, therefore, the unrealized gains and losses on open positions are reflected currently in earnings. At each period end, we estimate the fair value of our commodity derivatives and recognize an unrealized gain or loss. During the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, we recognized unrealized gains on commodity derivatives. During the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, we recognized unrealized losses as market prices generally increased during these periods. During the year ended December 31, 2008, we recognized significant unrealized gains on our commodity derivatives as market prices generally decreased during this period.

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        Our open positions as of September 30, 2011 are as follows:

 
  Remaining
year 2011
  Year 2012   Year 2013   Year 2014  

Oil positions(1):

                         

Puts:

                         
 

Hedged volume (Bbls)

    87,000     672,000     1,080,000      
 

Weighted average price ($/Bbl)

  $ 62.52   $ 65.79   $ 65.00   $  

Swaps:

                         
 

Hedged volume (Bbls)

    218,575     732,000     600,000      
 

Weighted average price ($/Bbl)

  $ 86.80   $ 93.52   $ 96.32   $  

Collars:

                         
 

Hedged volume (Bbls)

    180,000     498,000     216,000     264,000  
 

Weighted average floor price ($/Bbl)

  $ 78.25   $ 75.06   $ 73.89   $ 80.00  
 

Weighted average ceiling price ($/Bbl)

  $ 113.58   $ 107.17   $ 120.56   $ 125.00  

Natural gas positions(2):

                         

Puts:

                         
 

Hedged volume (MMBtu)

    90,000     4,320,000     6,600,000      
 

Weighted average price ($/MMBtu)

  $ 3.50   $ 5.38   $ 4.00   $  

Swaps:

                         
 

Hedged volume (MMBtu)

    389,108     1,680,000          
 

Weighted average price ($/MMBtu)

  $ 5.65   $ 6.14   $   $  

Collars:

                         
 

Hedged volume (MMBtu)

    2,850,000     7,800,000     6,600,000     3,480,000  
 

Weighted average floor price ($/MMBtu)

  $ 4.82   $ 4.12   $ 4.00   $ 4.00  
 

Weighted average ceiling price ($/MMBtu)

  $ 7.98   $ 5.79   $ 7.05   $ 7.05  

Basis Swaps:

                         
 

Hedged volume (MMBtu)

    1,260,000     2,880,000     1,200,000      
 

Weighted average price ($/MMBtu)

  $ 0.29   $ 0.31   $ 0.33   $  

(1)
The oil derivatives are settled based on the month's average daily NYMEX price of West Texas Intermediate Light Sweet Crude Oil.

(2)
The natural gas derivatives are settled based on NYMEX gas futures, the Northern Natural Gas Co. demarcation price or the Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line spot price of natural gas for the calculation period. The basis swap derivatives are settled based on the differential between the NYMEX gas futures and the West Texas WAHA index gas price.

Principal Components of Our Cost Structure

        Lease operating and natural gas transportation and treating expenses.    These are daily costs incurred to bring oil and gas out of the ground and to the market, together with the daily costs incurred to maintain our producing properties. Such costs also include maintenance, repairs and workover expenses related to our oil and gas properties.

        Production and ad valorem taxes.    Production taxes are paid on produced oil and gas based on a percentage of revenues from products sold at market prices or at fixed rates established by federal, state or local taxing authorities. We take full advantage of all credits and exemptions in our various taxing jurisdictions. In general, the production taxes we pay correlate to the changes in oil and gas revenues. Ad valorem taxes are property taxes assessed based on a flat rate per oil or natural gas equivalent produced on our properties located in Texas.

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        Drilling rig fees.    These are costs incurred under short-term drilling contracts for fees paid to various third parties if we terminate our drilling or cease efforts, including for stacked drilling rigs in lieu of drilling.

        Drilling and production.    These are costs incurred to maintain facilities that support our drilling activities.

        General and administrative.    These are costs incurred for overhead, including payroll and benefits for our corporate staff, costs of maintaining our headquarters, costs of managing our production and development operations, franchise taxes, audit and other fees for professional services and legal compliance.

        Depreciation, depletion and amortization.    Under the full cost accounting method, we capitalize costs within a cost center and then systematically expense those costs on a units of production basis based on proved oil and natural gas reserve quantities. We calculate depletion on the following types of costs: (i) all capitalized costs, other than the cost of investments in unproved properties and major development projects for which proved reserves cannot yet be assigned, less accumulated amortization; (ii) the estimated future expenditures to be incurred in developing proved reserves; and (iii) the estimated dismantlement and abandonment costs, net of estimated salvage values. We calculate depreciation on the cost of fixed assets related to our pipelines and other fixed assets.

        Impairment expense.    This is the cost to reduce proved oil and gas properties to the calculated full cost ceiling value and the write-downs of our materials and supplies inventory, consisting of pipe and well equipment, to the lower of cost or market value at the end of the respective period.

Other Income (Expense)

        Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on commodity derivative financial instruments.    We utilize commodity derivative financial instruments to reduce our exposure to fluctuations in the price of crude oil and natural gas. This amount represents (i) the recognition of unrealized gains and losses associated with our open derivative contracts as commodity prices change and commodity derivative contracts expire or new ones are entered into, and (ii) our realized gains and losses on the settlement of these commodity derivative instruments. We classify these gains and losses as operating activities in our statements of cash flows.

        Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate derivative instruments.    We utilize interest rate swaps and caps to reduce our exposure to fluctuations in interest rates on our outstanding debt. This amount represents (i) the recognition of unrealized gains and losses associated with our open interest rate derivative contracts as interest rates change and interest rate contracts expire or new ones are entered into, and (ii) our realized gains and losses on the settlement of these interest rate contracts. We classify these gains and losses as operating activities in our statements of cash flows.

        Interest expense.    We finance a portion of our working capital requirements, capital expenditures and acquisitions with borrowings under our senior secured credit facility, our old notes and, prior to its termination on July 1, 2011, the Broad Oak credit facility. As a result, we incur interest expense that is affected by both fluctuations in interest rates and our financing decisions. We have entered into various interest rate derivative contracts to mitigate the effects of interest rate changes. We do not designate these derivative contracts as hedges and therefore hedge accounting treatment is not applicable. Realized and unrealized gains or losses on these interest rate contracts are included in non-operating income (expense) as discussed above. We reflect interest paid to the lenders and bondholders in interest expense. In addition, we include the amortization of deferred financing costs (including origination and amendment fees), commitment fees and annual agency fees in interest expense.

        Interest income.    This represents the interest received on our cash and cash equivalents.

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        Income tax expense.    Income taxes in our financial statements are generally presented on a "consolidated" basis. However, in light of the historic ownership structure of Laredo, U.S. tax laws do not allow tax losses of one entity to offset income and losses of another entity until after the consummation of the Broad Oak acquisition on July 1, 2011. As such, the financial accounting for the income tax consequences of each taxable entity is calculated separately for all periods prior to July 1, 2011.

        Laredo LLC is a limited liability company treated as a partnership for federal and state income tax purposes. The taxable income of Laredo LLC is passed through to its members. As such, no recognition of federal or state income taxes for Laredo LLC has been provided for in the accompanying combined financial statements. Laredo LLC's subsidiaries and Broad Oak are separate taxable corporations and these corporations along with subsidiaries that are organized as limited liability companies, are subject to federal and state corporate income taxes. These income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method pursuant to Accounting Standards Codification 740, Income Taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating losses and tax credit carry-forwards. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. On a quarterly basis, management evaluates the need for and adequacy of valuation allowances based on the expected realization of the deferred tax assets and adjusts the amount of such allowances, if necessary.

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Results of Operations

Nine months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to nine months ended September 30, 2010

        The following table sets forth selected operating data for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2010:

 
  Nine months ended
September 30,
 
(in thousands except for production data and average sales prices)
  2011   2010  
 
  (unaudited)
 

Operating results:

             

Revenues

             
 

Oil

  $ 221,031   $ 76,830  
 

Natural gas

    147,028     78,592  
 

Natural gas transportation and treating

    3,239     1,636  
 

Drilling and production

    9     3  
           
   

Total revenues

    371,307     157,061  

Costs and expenses

             
 

Lease operating expenses

    29,258     14,916  
 

Production and ad valorem taxes

    23,330     10,104  
 

Natural gas transportation and treating

    1,167     2,058  
 

Drilling and production

    1,407     166  
 

General and administrative

    38,234     22,705  
 

Accretion of asset retirement obligations

    456     340  
 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    114,976     60,363  
 

Impairment expense

    243      
           
     

Total costs and expenses

    209,071     110,652  

Non-operating income (expense):

             
 

Realized and unrealized gain (loss):

             
   

Commodity derivative financial instruments, net

    42,851     29,583  
   

Interest rate derivatives, net

    (1,317 )   (5,890 )
 

Interest expense

    (35,062 )   (11,869 )
 

Interest income

    83     125  
 

Write-off of deferred loan costs

    (6,195 )    
 

Loss on disposal of assets

    (35 )   (30 )
 

Other

    6      
           
     

Non-operating income, net

    331     11,919  
 

Income tax expense

    (58,579 )   (7,170 )
           
 

Net income

  $ 103,988   $ 51,158  
           

Production data:

             
 

Oil (MBbls)

    2,419     1,038  
 

Natural gas (MMcf)

    22,904     15,041  
 

Barrels of oil equivalent(1) (MBOE)

    6,236     3,545  
   

Average daily production (BOE/D)

    22,842     12,982  

Average sales prices:

             
   

Oil, realized ($/Bbl)

  $ 91.37   $ 74.02  
   

Oil, hedged(2) ($/Bbl)

  $ 88.79   $ 74.93  
   

Natural gas, realized ($/Mcf)

  $ 6.42   $ 5.23  
   

Natural gas, hedged(2) ($/Mcf)

  $ 6.75   $ 6.20  

(1)
MBbl equivalents ("MBOE") are calculated using a conversion rate of six MMcf per one MBbl.

(2)
Hedged prices reflect the after-effect of our commodity hedging transactions on our average sales prices. Our calculation of such after-effect includes realized gains or losses on cash settlements for commodity derivatives, which do not qualify for hedge accounting.

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        Oil and gas revenues.    Our oil and gas revenues increased by approximately $212.6 million, or 137%, to $368.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2010. Our revenues are a function of oil and gas production volumes sold and average sales prices received for those volumes. Average daily production sold increased by 9,860 BOE/D during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the same period in 2010. The total increase in revenue of approximately $212.6 million is largely attributable to higher oil and gas production volumes as well as an increase in oil prices being realized for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2010. Production increased by 1,381 MBbls for oil and 7,863 MMcf for gas for the first nine months of 2011 as compared to the first nine months of 2010. The net dollar effect of the increase in prices of approximately $69.2 million (calculated as the change in year-to-year average prices times current year production volumes for oil and gas) and the net dollar effect of the change in production of approximately $143.4 million (calculated as the increase in year-to-year volumes for oil and gas times the prior year average prices) are shown below.

 
  Change in
prices(1)
  Production
volumes at
September 30,
2011(2)
  Total net
dollar effect
of change
(in thousands)
 

Effect of changes in price:

                   
 

Oil

  $ 17.35     2,419   $ 41,970  
 

Natural gas

  $ 1.19     22,904   $ 27,256  
                   
   

Total revenues due to change in price

              $ 69,226  

 

 
  Change in
production
volumes(2)
  Prices at
September 30,
2010(1)
  Total net
dollar effect
of change
(in thousands)
 

Effect of changes in volumes:

                   
 

Oil

    1,381   $ 74.02   $ 102,222  
 

Natural gas

    7,863   $ 5.23   $ 41,123  
                   
   

Total revenues due to change in volumes

              $ 143,345  

Rounding differences

              $ 66  
                   
   

Total change in revenues

              $ 212,637  
                   

(1)
Prices shown are realized, unhedged $/Bbl for oil and are realized, unhedged $/Mcf for natural gas.

(2)
Production volumes are presented in MBbls for oil and in MMcf for natural gas.

        Natural gas transportation and treating.    Our revenues related to natural gas transportation and treating increased by $1.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2010. This increase was due to the sale of oil condensate from our pipeline assets during the first nine months of 2011, which occurs on an infrequent basis.

        Lease operating expenses.    Lease operating expenses, which include workover expenses, increased to $29.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 from $14.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, an increase of 97%. The increase was primarily due to an increase in drilling activity, which resulted in additional producing wells for the first nine months of 2011 compared to the first nine months of 2010. On a per-BOE basis, lease operating expenses increased in total to $4.69 per BOE at September 30, 2011 from $4.21 per BOE at September 30, 2010. The majority of the increase is due to approximately $1.3 million in additional workover expenses incurred during the first

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nine months of 2011 as compared to the same period in 2010 as market conditions for oil and gas became more favorable.

        Production and ad valorem taxes.    Production and ad valorem taxes increased to approximately $23.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 from $10.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, an increase of $13.2 million, or 131%, primarily due to the increase in market prices (not including the effects of hedging), as well as a significant increase in production for the first nine months of 2011 as compared to the same period in 2010. The average realized prices excluding derivatives for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 were $91.37 per Bbl for oil and $6.42 per Mcf for gas as compared to $74.02 per Bbl for oil and $5.23 per Mcf for gas for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

        Drilling and production.    Drilling and production costs increased to approximately $1.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 from $0.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as a result of increased maintenance costs.

        General and administrative ("G&A").    G&A expense increased to approximately $38.2 million at September 30, 2011 from $22.7 million at September 30, 2010, an increase of $15.5 million, or 68%. Increases in professional fees incurred as a result of the issuance of our old notes, the Broad Oak acquisition, the initial filing of a registration statement relating to our old notes with the SEC and other matters accounted for $6.7 million, or 43%, of the change in G&A. The remainder of the majority of the increase in G&A consisted of additional equity-based compensation of $4.1 million attributed largely to new series of units issued in conjunction with the Broad Oak acquisition in the third quarter of 2011, as well as approximately $3.9 million in additional salary and benefits expenditures due to the Broad Oak acquisition and the growth of our business and employee base. On a per-BOE basis, G&A expense decreased to $6.13 per BOE during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 from $6.40 per BOE at September 30, 2010. This decrease was a result of a significant increase in production during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2010. Additionally, on a per-BOE basis, excluding the costs of the Broad Oak acquisition and the increase in equity-based compensation, G&A expense was approximately $4.15 per BOE.

        Depreciation, depletion and amortization ("DD&A").    DD&A increased to approximately $115.0 million at September 30, 2011 from $60.4 million at September 30, 2010, an increase of $54.6 million, or 90%.

        Depletion related to oil and gas properties was approximately $111.5 million and $57.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Depletion was $17.87 per BOE and $16.29 per BOE for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. This depletion rate change resulted primarily from (i) increased net book value on new reserves added, (ii) higher total production levels, (iii) increased capitalized costs for new wells completed in 2011 and (iv) a corresponding offset caused by the increase in oil and natural gas prices between periods used to calculate proved reserves.

        Depreciation for pipeline and gas gathering assets was approximately $1.8 million and $1.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The increase in depreciation for pipeline and gas gathering assets was primarily due to the expansion of our gas gathering system.

        Depreciation for other fixed assets was approximately $1.7 million and $1.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The increase in depreciation for other fixed assets was primarily due to an increase in fixed asset additions as we continued to grow our business.

        Impairment expense.    Impairment expense increased to $0.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 from zero for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. This increase is due to a

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write-down of our materials and supplies inventory to reflect the balance at the lower of cost or market value calculated as of September 30, 2011. It was determined at September 30, 2010 that a lower of cost or market adjustment was not needed for materials and supplies.

        We evaluate the impairment of our oil and gas properties on a quarterly basis according to the full cost method prescribed by the SEC. If the carrying amount exceeds the calculated full cost ceiling, we reduce the carrying amount of the oil and gas properties to the calculated full cost ceiling amount, which is determined to be their estimated fair value. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, it was determined that our oil and gas properties were not impaired.

        Commodity derivative financial instruments.    Due to the inherent volatility in oil and gas prices, we use commodity derivative instruments, including puts, swaps, collars and basis swaps to hedge price risk associated with a significant portion of our anticipated oil and gas production. At each period end, we estimate the fair value of our commodity derivatives and recognize an unrealized gain or loss. We have not elected hedge accounting on these derivatives, and therefore, the unrealized gains and losses on open positions are reflected in current earnings. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, our commodity derivatives resulted in realized gains of $1.2 million and $15.6 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, our commodity derivatives resulted in unrealized gains of $41.6 million and $14.0 million, respectively. During the fourth quarter of 2010 and the first nine months of 2011, we entered into a number of new commodity derivatives of which eight had associated deferred premiums totaling approximately $14.9 million. The estimated fair value of our total deferred premiums was approximately $14.1 million at September 30, 2011. The fair market value of these premiums is deducted from our unrealized gains at September 30, 2011. The overall gain at September 30, 2011 is largely due to the decrease in market prices to levels lower than those specified in our fixed price commodity derivative contracts during the third quarter of 2011.

        Interest expense and realized and unrealized gains and losses on interest rate swaps.    Interest expense increased to $35.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 from $11.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, due to a higher weighted average interest rate and a higher weighted average outstanding debt balance during the first nine months of 2011 as compared to the same period in 2010. We incurred a weighted average interest rate of 7.66% on weighted average outstanding principal on our senior secured credit facility and old notes of $528.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to a weighted average interest rate of 3.97% on weighted average outstanding principal of $211.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. The increase in our weighted average interest rate and debt balance was largely due to the addition of our old notes at an interest rate of 9.5% on principal of $350 million in January 2011 as well as net draw-downs on our senior secured credit facility totaling $525.0 million for operations and to complete the Broad Oak acquisition.

        During 2010, we entered into certain variable-to-fixed interest rate swaps that hedge our exposure to interest rate variations on our variable interest rate debt. At September 30, 2011, we had interest rate swaps outstanding for a notional amount of $260.0 million with fixed pay rates ranging from 1.11% to 3.41% and terms expiring through September 2013. At September 30, 2010, we had interest rate swaps outstanding for a notional amount of $250.0 million with fixed pay rates ranging from 1.11% to 3.41% and terms expiring in September 2013. We realized losses on interest rate swaps of $3.7 million and $3.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Additionally, we recorded an unrealized gain on interest rate swaps of $2.4 million as of September 30, 2011 compared to an unrealized loss of $2.0 million at September 30, 2010. At September 30, 2011, the estimated fair value of our interest rate swaps was in a net liability position of $3.1 million compared to $5.5 million at December 31, 2010.

        Write-off of deferred loan costs.    In January 2011, we used a portion of the net proceeds of the issuance of our old notes to pay in full and retire our term loan. Additionally, concurrent with the

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issuance of our old notes, the borrowing base on our senior secured credit facility was lowered from $220.0 million to $200.0 million. As a result, we took a charge to expense for the debt issuance costs attributable to our term loan and a proportionate percentage of the costs incurred for our senior secured credit facility, which totaled $2.9 million and $0.3 million, respectively. On July 1, 2011, in conjunction with the Broad Oak acquisition, the Broad Oak credit facility was paid in full and terminated and the related debt issuance costs of $2.9 million were charged to expense.

        Income tax expense.    We prepared separate tax returns for Laredo LLC, Laredo Inc. and Broad Oak for the period prior to July 1, 2011. We recorded a deferred income tax expense of $58.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, compared to a deferred income tax expense of $7.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. The estimated annual effective tax rate was 36% for the quarters ended September 30, 2011 and 2010; however, during the first nine months of 2010, Broad Oak had a valuation allowance against their net deferred federal tax asset which decreased our deferred income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. Our effective tax rate is based on our estimated annual permanent tax differences and estimated annual pre-tax book income. Our estimates involve assumptions we believe to be reasonable at the time of the estimation.

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Year ended December 31, 2010 as compared to year ended December 31, 2009

        The following table sets forth selected operating data for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to the year ended December 31, 2009:

 
  Years ended
December 31,
 
(in thousands except for production data and average sales prices)
  2010   2009  

Operating results:

             

Revenues

             
 

Oil

  $ 126,891   $ 29,946  
 

Natural gas

    112,892     64,401  
 

Natural gas transportation and treating

    2,217     2,227  
 

Drilling and production

    4     318  
           
   

Total revenues

    242,004     96,892  

Costs and expenses

             
 

Lease operating expenses

    21,684     12,531  
 

Production and ad valorem taxes

    15,699     6,129  
 

Natural gas transportation and treating

    2,501     1,416  
 

Drilling rig fees

        1,606  
 

Drilling and production

    344     1,076  
 

General and administrative

    30,908     22,492  
 

Bad debt expense

        91  
 

Accretion of asset retirement obligations

    475     406  
 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    97,411     58,005  
 

Impairment expense

        246,669  
           
     

Total costs and expenses

    169,022     350,421  

Non-operating income (expense):

             
 

Realized and unrealized gain (loss):

             
   

Commodity derivative financial instruments, net

    11,190     5,744  
   

Interest rate derivatives, net

    (5,375 )   (3,394 )
 

Interest expense

    (18,482 )   (7,464 )
 

Interest income

    150     223  
 

Loss on disposal of assets

    (30 )   (85 )
 

Other

    1     4  
           
     

Non-operating expense, net

    (12,546 )   (4,972 )
 

Income tax benefit

    25,812     74,006  
           
 

Net income (loss)

  $ 86,248   $ (184,495 )
           

Production data:

             
 

Oil (MBbls)

    1,648     513  
 

Natural gas (MMcf)

    21,381     18,302  
   

Barrels of oil equivalent(1) (MBOE)

    5,212     3,563  
   

Average daily production (BOE/D)

    14,278     9,762  

Average sales prices:

             
   

Oil, realized ($/Bbl)

  $ 77.00   $ 58.37  
   

Oil, hedged(2) ($/Bbl)

  $ 77.26   $ 65.42  
   

Natural gas, realized ($/Mcf)

  $ 5.28   $ 3.52  
   

Natural gas, hedged(2) ($/Mcf)

  $ 6.32   $ 6.17  

(1)
MBbl equivalents ("MBOE") are calculated using a conversion rate of six MMcf per one MBbl.

(2)
Hedged prices reflect the after-effect of our commodity hedging transactions on our average sales prices. Our calculation of such after-effect includes realized gains or losses on cash settlements for commodity derivatives, which do not qualify for hedge accounting.

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        Oil and gas revenues.    Our oil and gas revenues increased by approximately $145.4 million, or 154%, to approximately $239.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2010 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2009. Our revenues are a function of oil and gas production volumes sold and average sales prices received for those volumes. Average daily production increased by 4,516 BOE/D during the year ended December 31, 2010 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2009. The total increase in revenue of approximately $145.4 million is largely attributable to an increase in oil and gas production volumes as well as an increase in oil and gas prices realized for the year ended December 31, 2010 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2009. Production increased by 1,135 MBbls for oil and by 3,079 MMcf for gas during 2010 as compared to 2009. The net dollar effect of the increase in prices of approximately $68.3 million (calculated as the change in year-to-year average prices times current year production volumes for oil and gas) and the net dollar effect of the change in production of approximately $77.1 million (calculated as the change in year-to-year volumes for oil and gas times the prior year average prices) are shown below.

 
  Change in
prices(1)
  Production
volumes at
December 31,
2010(2)
  Total net
dollar effect
of change
(in thousands)
 

Effect of changes in price:

                   
 

Oil

  $ 18.63     1,648   $ 30,702  
 

Natural gas

  $ 1.76     21,381   $ 37,631  
                   
   

Total revenues due to change in price

              $ 68,333  

 

 
  Change in
production
volumes(2)
  Prices at
December 31,
2009(1)
  Total net
dollar effect
of change
(in thousands)
 

Effect of changes in volumes:

                   
 

Oil

    1,135   $ 58.37   $ 66,250  
 

Natural gas

    3,079   $ 3.52   $ 10,838  
                   
   

Total revenues due to change in volumes

              $ 77,088  

Rounding differences

              $ 15  
                   
   

Total change in revenues

              $ 145,436  
                   

(1)
Prices shown are realized, unhedged $/Bbl for oil and are realized, unhedged $/Mcf for gas.

(2)
Production volumes are presented in MBbls for oil and in MMcf for natural gas.

        Natural gas transportation and treating.    Our revenues related to natural gas transportation and treating did not change significantly during the year ended December 31, 2010 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2009.

        Lease operating expenses.    Lease operating expenses increased to approximately $21.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 from $12.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, an increase of 74%, primarily due to the increase in the number of owned properties during 2010 as compared to 2009. On a per-BOE basis, lease operating expenses increased in total to $4.16 per BOE at December 31, 2010 from $3.52 per BOE at December 31, 2009. This increase was largely a result of lower production for the first nine months of 2010 as we scaled back our drilling program in response to lower oil and gas prices, while continuing to incur lease operating expenses on properties with normal declining production.

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        Production and ad valorem taxes.    Production and ad valorem taxes increased to approximately $15.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 from $6.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, an increase of $9.6 million, or 157%, primarily due to the increase in market prices (not including the effects of hedging) for 2010 as compared to 2009. The average realized prices excluding derivatives for the year ended December 31, 2010 were $77.00 per Bbl for oil and $5.28 per Mcf for natural gas as compared to $58.37 per Bbl for oil and $3.52 per Mcf for natural gas for the year ended December 31, 2009.

        Drilling rig fees.    We have committed to several short-term drilling contracts with various third parties to complete our drilling projects. The contracts contain an early termination clause that requires us to pay significant penalties to the third parties if we cease drilling efforts. For the year ended December 31, 2009, we incurred approximately $1.6 million in stacked rig fees. In 2010, we did not incur any stacked rig fees related to our drilling rig contracts.

        Drilling and production.    Drilling and production costs decreased to approximately $0.3 million at December 31, 2010 from $1.1 million at December 31, 2009 as a result of improved cost control measures related to our activities.

        General and administrative ("G&A").    G&A expense increased to approximately $30.9 million at December 31, 2010 from $22.5 million at December 31, 2009, an increase of $8.4 million, or 37%. Increases in salaries, benefits and bonus expense (net of capitalized salary and benefits) accounted for approximately $5.4 million, or 64%, of the change in G&A expense as we continued to grow our employee base during 2010. The remainder of the increase largely consisted of additional expenditures for technology, travel costs and professional fees. On a per-BOE basis, G&A expense decreased to $5.93 per BOE during the year ended December 31, 2010 from $6.31 per BOE at December 31, 2009. This decrease was a result of a larger overall increase in production volumes between the two periods.

        Depreciation, depletion and amortization ("DD&A").    DD&A increased to approximately $97.4 million at December 31, 2010 from $58.0 million at December 31, 2009, an increase of $39.4 million, or 68%, due largely to the increase in production noted above. Depletion related to oil and gas properties was approximately $93.8 million and $55.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Depletion was $18.36 per BOE and $16.56 per BOE for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

        Depreciation for pipeline and gas gathering assets was approximately $2.0 million and $1.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The increase in depreciation for pipeline and gas gathering assets was primarily due to the expansion of our gas gathering system.

        Depreciation for other fixed assets was approximately $1.6 million and $1.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The increase in depreciation for other fixed assets was primarily due to an increase in fixed asset additions as we grew the company.

        Impairment expense.    We evaluate the impairment of our oil and gas properties on a quarterly basis according to the full cost method prescribed by the SEC. If the carrying amount exceeds the calculated full cost ceiling, we reduce the carrying amount of the oil and gas properties to the calculated full cost ceiling amount, which is determined to be their estimated fair value.

        Impairment expense at December 31, 2009 reflects the impairment of our oil and gas properties of approximately $245.9 million due to declining market prices for oil and gas, and the write-down to lower of cost of market of materials and supplies of approximately $0.8 million, consisting of pipe and well equipment, due to declining market prices. For oil and natural gas assets, the full cost ceiling calculation was computed using the unweighted arithmetic average first-day-of-the-month prices for the 12-months ended December 31, 2009 of $57.04 per Bbl for oil and $3.15 per MMBtu for natural gas, adjusted for energy content, transportation fees and regional price differentials. It was determined that

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oil and natural gas properties were not impaired for the year ended December 31, 2010 as their carrying amount did not exceed the calculated full cost ceiling. Additionally, a write-down of our materials and supplies was not necessary at December 31, 2010 based on our lower of cost or market analysis.

        Commodity derivative financial instruments.    Due to the inherent volatility in oil and gas prices, we use commodity derivative instruments including puts, swaps, collars, and basis swaps to hedge future price risk associated with a significant portion of our anticipated oil and gas production. At each period end, we estimate the fair value of our commodity derivatives and recognize an unrealized gain or loss. We have not elected hedge accounting on these derivatives and, therefore, the unrealized gains and losses on open positions are reflected in current earnings. For the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, our hedges resulted in realized gains of approximately $22.7 million and $52.1 million, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, our hedges resulted in unrealized losses of approximately $11.5 million and $46.4 million, respectively. During 2009, some of our hedge contracts matured and commodity prices began to recover, creating an unrealized loss at December 31, 2009. During 2010, we entered into a number of new commodity derivatives of which seven had associated deferred premiums totaling approximately $13.4 million. The estimated fair value of our total deferred premiums was approximately $12.5 million at December 31, 2010. The fair market value of these premiums is deducted from our unrealized gains and losses and largely accounts for the overall unrealized loss on commodity derivatives at December 31, 2010.

        Interest expense and realized and unrealized gains and losses on interest rate derivatives.    Interest expense increased to approximately $18.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 from $7.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, due to a higher weighted average interest rate and a higher weighted average outstanding debt balance during the year ended December 31, 2010. We incurred a weighted average interest rate of 4.40% on weighted average outstanding principal of $225.2 million on our senior secured credit facility and term loan for the year ended December 31, 2010 as compared to a weighted average interest rate of 3.67% on weighted average outstanding principal of $154.0 million for year ended December 31, 2009. We also incurred a weighted average interest rate of 4.27% on weighted average outstanding principal of $123.8 million on the Broad Oak credit facility for the year ended December 31, 2010 as compared to 4.65% on weighted average outstanding principal of $27.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. The overall increase in our interest expense was largely due to the addition of our term loan facility at an interest rate of 9.25% on principal of $100.0 million in July 2010 as well as additional borrowings on our senior secured credit facility and the Broad Oak credit facility.

        During 2010 and 2009, we entered into certain variable-to-fixed interest rate derivatives that hedge our exposure to interest rate variations on our variable interest rate debt. At December 31, 2010, we had interest rate swaps and caps outstanding for a notional amount of $300.0 million with fixed pay rates ranging from 1.11% to 3.41% and terms expiring from June 2011 to September 2013 compared to outstanding swaps for a notional amount of $180.0 million with fixed pay rates ranging from 1.60% to 3.41% and terms expiring from June 2011 to June 2012 at December 31, 2009. During the year ended December 31, 2010, we realized a loss on interest rate derivatives of approximately $5.2 million compared to a realized loss of $3.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. Additionally, we recorded an unrealized loss on interest rate derivatives of approximately $0.1 million as of December 31, 2010 compared to an unrealized gain of $0.4 million at December 31, 2009. At December 31, 2010, the estimated fair value of our interest rate derivatives was in a net liability position of approximately $5.5 million compared to $5.6 million at December 31, 2009.

        Income tax expense.    We recorded a combined deferred income tax benefit of approximately $25.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2010, compared to a combined deferred income tax benefit of approximately $74.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. At December 31, 2009,

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we recognized a combined deferred income tax benefit for the impairment of our oil and gas properties of approximately $86.1 million.

        Additionally, for Laredo, we recorded a valuation allowance of approximately $0.7 million against our Texas deferred tax asset at December 31, 2010, as we believe it is more likely than not that we will not realize a future benefit for the full amount of our Texas deferred tax asset. The estimated annual effective tax rate was 37% for the year ended December 31, 2010 and 35% for the year ended December 31, 2009. Our annual effective tax rate is based on our estimated annual permanent tax differences and estimated annual pre-tax book income. Our estimates involve assumptions we believe to be reasonable at the time of the estimation.

        During the fourth quarter of 2010, we determined that it was more likely than not that the remaining federal net operating loss carry-forwards and net federal deferred assets would be realized. Consideration given included estimated future net cash flows from oil and gas reserves (including the timing of those cash flows) and the future tax effect of the deferred tax assets and liabilities recorded at December 31, 2010. As a result of this determination, the valuation allowance was released against the deferred tax assets, resulting in a decrease of the valuation allowance by approximately $47.9 million.

        For the year ended December 31, 2009, we increased the valuation allowance against Broad Oak's net federal deferred tax asset by approximately $16.5 million and decreased the valuation allowance against Broad Oak's Louisiana deferred tax by approximately $0.1 million. We believed it was more likely than not that we would not realize a future benefit for the full amount of our federal and Louisiana net deferred tax asset as of December 31, 2009.

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Year ended December 31, 2009 as compared to year ended December 31, 2008

        The following table sets forth selected operating data for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to the year ended December 31, 2008:

 
  Years Ended
December 31,
 
(in thousands except for production data and average sales prices)
  2009   2008  

Operating results:

             

Revenues

             
 

Oil

  $ 29,946   $ 16,544  
 

Natural gas

    64,401     57,339  
 

Natural gas transportation and treating

    2,227     304  
 

Drilling and production

    318     548  
           
   

Total revenues

    96,892     74,735  

Costs and expenses

             
 

Lease operating expenses

    12,531     6,436  
 

Production and ad valorem taxes

    6,129     5,481  
 

Natural gas transportation and treating

    1,416     154  
 

Drilling rig fees

    1,606      
 

Drilling and production

    1,076     23  
 

General and administrative

    22,492     23,248  
 

Bad debt expense

    91      
 

Accretion of asset retirement obligations

    406     170  
 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    58,005     33,102  
 

Impairment expense

    246,669     282,587  
           
     

Total costs and expenses

    350,421     351,201  

Non-operating income (expense):

             
 

Realized and unrealized gain (loss):

             
   

Commodity derivative financial instruments, net

    5,744     40,569  
   

Interest rate derivatives, net

    (3,394 )   (6,274 )
 

Interest expense

    (7,464 )   (4,410 )
 

Interest income

    223     781  
 

Loss on disposal of assets

    (85 )   (2 )
 

Other

    4     38  
           
     

Non-operating income (expense), net

    (4,972 )   30,702  
 

Income tax benefit

    74,006     53,717  
           
 

Net loss

  $ (184,495 ) $ (192,047 )
           

Production data:

             
 

Oil (MBbls)

    513     192  
 

Natural gas (MMcf)

    18,302     8,124  
   

Barrels of oil equivalents(1) (MBOE)

    3,563     1,546  
   

Average daily production (BOE/D)

    9,762     4,226  

Average sales prices:

             
   

Oil, realized ($/Bbl)

  $ 58.37   $ 86.17  
   

Oil, hedged(2) ($/Bbl)

  $ 65.42   $ 91.93  
   

Natural gas, realized ($/Mcf)

  $ 3.52   $ 7.06  
   

Natural gas, hedged(2) ($/Mcf)

  $ 6.17   $ 7.83  

(1)
MBbl equivalents ("MBOE") are calculated using a conversion rate of six MMcf per one MBbl.

(2)
Hedged prices reflect the after-effect of our commodity hedging transactions on our average sales prices. Our calculation of such after-effect includes realized gains or losses on cash settlements for commodity derivatives, which do not qualify for hedge accounting.

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        Oil and gas revenues.    Our oil and gas sales revenues increased by approximately $20.5 million, or 28%, to approximately $94.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2009 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2008. Our revenues are a function of oil and gas production volumes sold and average sales prices received for those volumes. Average daily production sold increased by 5,536 BOE/D during the year ended December 31, 2009 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2008. The net increase in revenues resulted from the net dollar effect of commodity price decreases of approximately $79.1 million (calculated as the decrease in year-to-year average prices times current year production volumes for oil and gas) offset by increased production of approximately $99.5 million (calculated as the increase in year-to-year volumes for oil and gas times the prior year average prices) as shown in the calculation below. The increase in production was largely attributed to a full year of production in 2009 on the properties acquired in August 2008 as well as successful drilling efforts.

 
  Change in
prices(1)
  Production
volumes at
December 31,
2009(2)
  Total net
dollar effect
of change
(in thousands)
 

Effect of changes in price:

                   
 

Oil

  $ (27.80 )   513   $ (14,261 )
 

Natural gas

  $ (3.54 )   18,302   $ (64,789 )
                   
   

Total revenues due to change in price

              $ (79,050 )

 

 
  Change in
production
volumes(2)
  Prices at
December 31, 2008(1)
  Total net
dollar effect
of change
(in thousands)
 

Effect of changes in volumes:

                   
 

Oil

    321   $ 86.17   $ 27,661  
 

Natural gas

    10,178   $ 7.06   $ 71,857  
                   
   

Total revenues due to change in volumes

              $ 99,518  

Rounding differences

              $ (4 )
                   
   

Total change in revenues

              $ 20,464  
                   

(1)
Prices shown are realized, unhedged $/Bbl for oil and are realized, unhedged $/Mcf for gas.

(2)
Production volumes are presented in Bbls for oil and in MMcf for natural gas.

        Natural gas transportation and treating.    Our revenues related to natural gas transportation and treating increased by approximately $1.9 million, or 633%, during the year ended December 31, 2009 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2008. This increase was due to higher natural gas volumes being transported on behalf of third parties on our gas gathering system, which also caused natural gas transportation and treating expenses to increase.

        Lease operating expenses.    Lease operating expenses increased to approximately $12.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 from $6.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2008, an increase of 95%, primarily as a result of a full year of operations in 2009 for the properties acquired in 2008, as well as increased drilling and production. On a per-BOE basis, lease operating expenses decreased in total to $3.52 per BOE at December 31, 2009 from $4.16 per BOE at December 31, 2008 due to improved cost control measures and an improved mix of properties with lower operating costs.

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        Production and ad valorem taxes.    Production and ad valorem taxes increased to approximately $6.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 from $5.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2008, an increase of $0.6 million, or 11%, primarily due to the increase in revenues noted above.

        Drilling rig fees.    We have committed to several long-term drilling contracts with various third parties to complete our drilling projects. The contracts contain an early termination clause that requires us to pay significant penalties to the third parties if we cease drilling efforts. For the year ended December 31, 2009, we incurred approximately $1.6 million in stacked rig fees. We did not incur any stacked rig fees for the year ended December 31, 2008.

        Drilling and production.    Drilling and production costs increased to approximately $1.1 million at December 31, 2009 from $0.02 million at December 31, 2008 as a result of increased costs incurred related to frac pits in 2009 as compared to 2008.

        General and administrative ("G&A").    G&A expense decreased to approximately $22.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 from $23.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2008, a decrease of $0.7 million, or 3%. The decrease is primarily due to a reduction in the bonus accrual for 2009 as compared to 2008 because of the economic downturn which lead to lower oil and gas prices. On a per-BOE basis, G&A expense decreased to $6.31 per BOE for the year ended December 31, 2009 from $15.04 per BOE for 2008.

        Depreciation, depletion and amortization ("DD&A").    DD&A increased to approximately $58.0 million at December 31, 2009 from $33.1 million at December 31, 2008, an increase of $24.9 million, or 75%. Depletion related to oil and gas properties was approximately $55.4 million and $31.9 million at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and increased primarily as a result of a 130% increase in production during 2009 as compared to 2008. Production increased largely as a result of a full year of operations for the properties acquired in August 2008, as well as successful drilling efforts during 2009. The depletion rate for oil and gas properties was $16.56 per BOE for the year ended December 31, 2009 as compared to $20.69 per BOE for the year ended December 31, 2008.

        Depreciation for pipeline and gas gathering assets was approximately $1.5 million and $0.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The increase was primarily due to the expansion of our gas gathering system.

        Depreciation for other fixed assets was approximately $1.1 million and $0.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The increase was primarily due to an increase in fixed asset additions as we grew the company.

        Impairment expense.    Impairment expense decreased to approximately $246.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 from $282.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2008, a decrease of $35.9 million, or 13%, primarily due to the decrease in prices for oil and gas. Our impairment expense of approximately $246.7 million at December 31, 2009 reflects the impairment of our oil and gas assets of $245.9 million and the write-down of $0.8 million of our materials and supplies inventory, consisting of pipe and well equipment, to the lower-of-cost-or-market. For oil and gas assets, the full cost ceiling calculation was computed using the unweighted arithmetic average first-day-of-the-month prices of the 12-months ended December 31, 2009 of $57.04 per barrel for oil and $3.15 per MMBtu for natural gas, adjusted for energy content, transportation fees and regional price differentials. Impairment expense for 2008 related entirely to the write-down of our oil and gas properties to the full cost ceiling value and was calculated using the December 31, 2008 index price of $44.60 per barrel for oil and $4.68 per MMBtu for natural gas, adjusted for energy content, transportation fees and regional price differentials.

        Commodity derivative financial instruments.    For the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, our hedges resulted in realized gains of approximately $52.1 million and $7.4 million, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, our hedges resulted in unrealized losses of approximately

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$46.4 million and unrealized gains of $33.2 million, respectively. Unrealized gains in 2008 occurred as commodity prices began to fall below our fixed price derivatives as a result of the weakening U.S. and global economies. During 2009, we realized part of these gains as our 2009 hedge contracts matured and prices began to recover, therefore, partially reversing the unrealized gains recorded in 2008.

        Interest expense and realized and unrealized gains and losses on interest rate derivatives.    Interest expense increased to approximately $7.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 from $4.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2008, primarily due to a higher weighted average outstanding debt balance during the year ended December 31, 2009. We incurred a weighted average interest rate on our senior secured credit facility of 3.67% on weighted average outstanding principal of $154.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 as compared to a weighted average interest rate of 5.40% on weighted average outstanding principal of $75.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. We also incurred a weighted average interest rate on the Broad Oak credit facility of 4.65% on weighted average outstanding principal of $27.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 as compared to a weighted average interest rate of 4.43% on weighted average outstanding principal of $6.3 million.

        During 2008, we entered into various variable-to-fixed interest rate derivatives to hedge our exposure to interest rate variations on our variable interest rate debt. At December 31, 2009, we had interest rate swaps outstanding for a notional amount of $180.0 million with fixed pay rates ranging from 1.60% to 3.41% and terms expiring from June 2011 to June 2012 as compared to swaps outstanding for a notional amount of $125.0 million with fixed pay rates ranging from 3.02% to 3.63% and terms expiring from March 2011 to August 2011 at December 31, 2008. For the year ended December 31, 2009, we realized a loss on interest rate swaps of approximately $3.8 million compared to a realized loss of $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. Additionally, we recorded an unrealized gain on interest rate swaps of approximately $0.4 million as of December 31, 2009 compared to an unrealized loss of $6.0 million at December 31, 2008. At December 31, 2009, the estimated fair value of our interest rate swap agreements was a liability of approximately $5.6 million compared to $6.0 million at December 31, 2008.

        Income tax benefit.    We recorded a combined deferred income tax benefit of approximately $74.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 as compared to a combined deferred income tax benefit of approximately $53.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 due largely to the full cost ceiling impairments taken on our oil and gas properties during 2009 and 2008.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

        Our primary sources of liquidity have been capital contributions from Warburg Pincus, certain members of our management and board of directors, borrowings under our senior secured credit facility, our old notes, borrowings under the prior Broad Oak credit facility, borrowings under our prior term loan facility and cash flows from operations. Our primary use of capital has been for the exploration, development and acquisition of oil and gas properties. As we pursue reserves and production growth, we continually consider which capital resources, including equity and debt financings, are available to meet our future financial obligations, planned capital expenditure activities and liquidity requirements. Our future ability to grow proved reserves and production will be highly dependent on the capital resources available to us. We continually monitor market conditions and are pursuing a potential initial public offering of LPH's common stock, as well as considering taking on additional debt, which may be in the form of bank debt, debt securities or other sources of financing. We cannot assure you that the initial public offering of LPH's common stock will be consummated or that we will take on any such debt or what the terms of such debt would be.

        At September 30, 2011, a total of $710 million of equity has been invested in us by Warburg Pincus, certain members of management and our independent directors.

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        At September 30, 2011, we had approximately $525.0 million in debt outstanding and approximately $0.03 million of outstanding letters of credit under our senior secured credit facility and $350.0 million in old notes. On October 19, 2011, we completed an offering of $200 million of additional old notes. We used the net proceeds from such offering to pay down amounts outstanding under our senior secured credit facility. As of November 25, 2011 we had $375 million in debt outstanding under our senior secured credit facility. We believe availability under our senior secured credit facility, cash flow from operations and cash on hand, as well as access to capital resources, provide us with the ability to implement our planned exploration and development activities.

        LPH, a recently formed Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Laredo LLC, has recently filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the SEC in connection with a proposed initial public offering of its common stock, proceeds of which will be applied to reduce amounts outstanding under our senior secured credit facility. LPH currently has no material assets or liabilities and is not currently a guarantor of the notes or a guarantor of the senior secured credit facility. The registration statement for the initial public offering is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the new notes and is not incorporated by reference herein, and investors should not rely on the disclosure therein in connection with their participation in the exchange offer. The registration statement is subject to review and comments by the SEC and has not yet become effective and the disclosure related to us and our business may change as a result of such review and comments. Pursuant to the terms of a corporate reorganization that is currently proposed to occur concurrently with, or immediately prior to, the closing of the initial public offering of LPH's common stock, Laredo LLC will merge into LPH, with LPH being the surviving entity. LPH will issue common stock to the current owners of Laredo LLC in the corporate reorganization and to the public in the initial public offering. The issuer of the notes and the borrower under our senior secured credit facility will continue to be Laredo Inc. and LPH will become a guarantor of the notes and the senior secured credit facility immediately prior to the corporate reorganization. There can be no assurance that the initial public offering of LPH's common stock will be consummated or the corporate reorganization will be effected as proposed. This description does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy common stock of LPH. Common stock of LPH may not be sold nor may offers be accepted prior to the time the registration statement on Form S-1 becomes effective, if at all.

        We expect that, in the future, our commodity derivative positions will help us stabilize a portion of our expected cash flows from operations despite potential declines in the price of oil and gas. Please see "—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" below.

Cash Flows

        Our cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 and for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 are as follows:

 
  Nine months ended
September 30,
  Years ended December 31,  
(in thousands)
  2011   2010   2010   2009   2008  
 
  (unaudited)
   
   
   
 

Net cash provided by operating activities

  $ 233,673   $ 90,754   $ 157,043   $ 112,669   $ 25,332  

Net cash used in investing activities

    (519,264 )   (309,557 )   (460,547 )   (361,333 )   (490,897 )

Net cash provided by financing activities

    282,605     229,040     319,752     250,139     472,140  
                       
 

Net increase (decrease) in cash

  $ (2,986 ) $ 10,237   $ 16,248   $ 1,475   $ 6,575  
                       

Cash flows provided by operating activities

        Net cash provided by operating activities was $233.7 million and $90.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The increase of $142.9 million was largely due to

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significant increases in revenue due to our successful drilling program in the fourth quarter of 2010 and the first nine months of 2011, as well as an increase in the market price for oil.

        Net cash provided by operating activities was approximately $157.0 million, $112.7 million and $25.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The increase in cash flows from 2008 to 2009 and from 2009 to 2010 was largely due to increased sales and production from our successful drilling program and acquisitions of properties as well as higher prices for oil and natural gas.

        Our operating cash flows are sensitive to a number of variables. The most significant of which are production levels and the volatility of oil and gas prices. Regional and worldwide economic activity, weather, infrastructure, capacity to reach markets, costs of operations and other variable factors significantly impact the prices of these commodities. These factors are not within our control and are difficult to predict. For additional information on the impact of changing prices on our financial position, see "—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" below.

Cash flows used in investing activities

        We had cash flows used in investing activities of approximately $519.3 million and $309.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The increase of $209.7 million is due to increasing our drilling efforts in our Permian Basin and Anadarko Granite Wash areas in order to take advantage of strategic vertical and horizontal drilling and improving commodity prices.

        We had cash flows used in investing activities of approximately $460.5 million, $361.3 million and $490.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Cash flows used in investing activities declined in total from 2008 to 2009 as no acquisitions were completed during 2009, however, drilling activity, land and seismic activity and pipeline activity all increased.

        Our cash used in investing activities for acquisitions and capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 and the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 is summarized in the table below.

 
  Nine months ended
September 30,
  Years ended December 31,  
(in thousands)
  2011   2010   2010   2009   2008  
 
  (unaudited)
   
   
   
 

Acquisition of oil and gas properties

  $   $   $   $   $ (179,141 )

Restricted cash

                2,201     (2,201 )

Capital expenditures:

                               
 

Oil and gas properties

    (503,921 )   (306,003 )   (454,161 )   (340,636 )   (288,555 )
 

Pipeline and gathering assets

    (9,717 )   (2,080 )   (4,277 )   (19,995 )   (17,548 )
 

Other fixed assets

    (5,647 )   (1,543 )   (2,198 )   (3,071 )   (3,474 )

Proceeds from other asset disposals

    21     69     89     168     22  
                       
   

Net cash used in investing activities

  $ (519,264 ) $ (309,557 ) $ (460,547 ) $ (361,333 ) $ (490,897 )
                       

Capital expenditure budget

        Concurrent with the Broad Oak acquisition, our board of directors has approved a revised capital expenditure budget of approximately $188 million for the fourth quarter of 2011. On November 9, 2011, our board of directors approved a budget of $757 million for calendar year 2012, excluding additional acquisitions. We do not have a specific acquisition budget since the timing and size of acquisitions cannot be accurately forecasted.

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        The amount, timing and allocation of capital expenditures are largely discretionary and within management's control. If oil and gas prices decline to levels below our acceptable levels, or costs increase to levels above our acceptable levels, we may choose to defer a portion of our budgeted capital expenditures until later periods in order to achieve the desired balance between sources and uses of liquidity and prioritize capital projects that we believe have the highest expected returns and potential to generate near-term cash flow. We may also increase our capital expenditures significantly to take advantage of opportunities we consider to be attractive. We consistently monitor and adjust our projected capital expenditures in response to success or lack of success in drilling activities, changes in prices, availability of financing, drilling and acquisition costs, industry conditions, the timing of regulatory approvals, the availability of rigs, contractual obligations, internally generated cash flow and other factors both within and outside our control.

Cash flows provided by financing activities

        We had cash flows provided by financing activities of $282.6 million and $229.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Net cash provided by financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 was primarily the result of proceeds from the issuance of our old notes on January 20, 2011, net borrowings on our senior secured credit facility and former Broad Oak credit facility totaling $133.4 million, the payment of $100.0 million to pay in full and terminate our term loan and payments of $18.8 million for loan costs. Additionally, we incurred approximately $82.0 million in debt to facilitate the Broad Oak acquisition. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, net cash from financing activities was the result of net borrowings on our senior secured credit facility and former Broad Oak credit facility totaling $76.8 million, borrowings on our term loan of $100.0 million and capital contributions of $61.7 million, all of which were offset by payments of $9.2 million for loan costs. On October 19, 2011, we completed an offering of $200 million of additional old notes. We used the net proceeds from such offering to pay down amounts outstanding under our senior secured credit facility.

        We had cash flows provided by financing activities of approximately $319.8 million, $250.1 million and $472.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Net cash provided by financing activities in 2010 was primarily the result of capital contributions from Warburg Pincus, certain members of our management and our independent directors of approximately $85.0 million, borrowings on our senior secured credit facility of $75.0 million and borrowings on our prior term loan facility of $100.0 million, which were subsequently used to pay down the outstanding balance on our senior secured credit facility. Additionally, we incurred net borrowings on the Broad Oak credit facility of approximately $169.5 million as of December 31, 2010.

        In 2009, net cash from financing activities was primarily the result of capital contributions from Warburg Pincus, certain members of our management and our independent directors of approximately $154.6 million, borrowings on our senior secured credit facility of $75.0 million and net borrowings of approximately $23.5 million on the Broad Oak credit facility.

        In 2008, net cash from financing activities was primarily the result of capital contributions from Warburg Pincus, certain members of our management and our independent directors of approximately $368.8 million, borrowings on our senior secured credit facility of $83.0 million and net borrowings on the Broad Oak credit facility of approximately $21.1 million.

Debt

        At September 30, 2011, we were a party to our senior secured credit facility. The Broad Oak credit facility was terminated on July 1, 2011 in conjunction with the Broad Oak acquisition. Our term loan facility was paid in full and retired in conjunction with the closing of the January 2011 offering of our old notes.

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        Senior secured credit facility.    Laredo Inc. is the borrower under our senior secured credit facility, which was amended and restated as of July 29, 2008, amended in December 2008, May 2009 and November 2009, amended and restated as of July 7, 2010, amended as of January 20, 2011, amended and restated as of July 1, 2011 and amended as of October 11, 2011. We used the net proceeds from our January 2011 offering of our old notes, among other things, to pay down all loan amounts outstanding under the senior secured credit facility, which were approximately $177.5 million at December 31, 2010. Refer to Note O of our audited combined financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus for further discussion of the January 2011 offering of our old notes and use of proceeds.

        On July 1, 2011, in conjunction with the Broad Oak acquisition, we entered into an amendment and restatement of our senior secured credit facility that provided for (i) the replacement of Bank of America, N.A. as the administrative agent by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., (ii) the rearranging of debt under this senior secured credit facility to repay amounts outstanding under and terminate the Broad Oak credit facility under the senior secured credit facility, (iii) an extension of the maturity date of the senior secured credit facility by one year to July 1, 2016, (iv) an increase in the facility capacity to $1.0 billion and an increase in the borrowing base of the senior secured credit facility to $650.0 million and (v) a reduction in the applicable margins for Eurodollar Tranches to between 1.75% and 2.75% and for Adjusted Base Rate Tranches to between 0.75% and 1.75% based on the ratio of outstanding revolving credit to the conforming borrowing base. The borrowing base was subsequently increased to $712.5 million on October 28, 2011. Refer to Note O of our audited combined financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus for further discussion of the Broad Oak acquisition and the amendment and restatement of our senior secured credit facility. The amendment entered into on October 11, 2011 allowed for the issuance of an additional $200.0 million of old notes discussed below. Refer to Note N of our unaudited consolidated financial statements presented elsewhere in this prospectus for further discussion of this amendment.

        Principal amounts borrowed under the senior secured credit facility are payable on the final maturity date with such borrowings bearing interest that is payable, at our election, either on the last day of each fiscal quarter at an Adjusted Base Rate or at the end of one-, two-, three-, six- or, to the extent available, twelve-month interest periods (and in the case of six- and twelve-month interest periods, every three months prior to the end of such interest period) at an Adjusted London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"), in each case, plus an applicable margin based on the ratio of outstanding senior secured credit to the borrowing base. At September 30, 2011, the applicable margin rates were 1.50% for the adjusted base rate advances and 2.50% for the Eurodollar advances. The amount of the senior secured credit facility outstanding at September 30, 2011 was subject to an interest rate of approximately 2.75%. We are also required to pay an annual commitment fee on the unused portion of the bank's commitment of 0.5%.

        As of September 30, 2011 and 2010, borrowings outstanding under our senior secured credit facility totaled $525.0 million and $252.5 million, respectively.

        As of December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, borrowings outstanding under our senior secured credit facility totaled $177.5 million, $202.5 million and $127.5 million, respectively. As of November 25, 2011, our outstanding balance under the senior secured credit facility was $375 million.

        Our senior secured credit facility is secured by a first priority lien on our assets and stock, including oil and natural gas properties constituting at least 80% of the present value of our proved reserves owned now or in the future. At September 30, 2011, we were subject to the following financial and non-financial ratios on a consolidated basis:

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        Our senior secured credit facility contains both financial and non-financial covenants. We were in compliance with these covenants at September 30, 2011, September 30, 2010, December 31, 2010, December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008. At September 30, 2009, we were in violation of our current ratio covenant. A covenant waiver was included in the fourth amended senior secured credit facility agreement dated November 5, 2009.

        Our senior secured credit facility contains various covenants that limit our ability to:

        As of September 30, 2011, we were in compliance with the terms of our senior secured credit facility. If an event of default exists under the senior secured credit facility, the lenders will be able to accelerate the maturity of the senior secured credit facility and exercise other rights and remedies. As of September 30, 2011, each of the following will be an event of default:

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        Additionally, our senior secured credit facility provides for the issuance of letters of credit, limited in the aggregate to the lesser of $20.0 million and the total availability under the facility. At September 30, 2011, we had one letter of credit outstanding totaling approximately $0.03 million under the senior secured credit facility.

        On November 23, 2011, we entered into an amendment to our senior secured credit facility to allow for the corporate reorganization that is proposed to be completed concurrently with, or prior to, the consummation of the potential initial public offering of LPH's common stock. For more information on the reorganization, see "Potential Corporate Reorganization."

        Termination of the Broad Oak credit facility.    At June 30, 2011, Broad Oak had a $600.0 million revolving credit facility under its seventh amendment executed on February 1, 2011 between Broad Oak and certain financial institutions. Under the seventh amendment, the borrowing base was redetermined at $375.0 million. The borrowing base was subject to a semi-annual redetermination. The Broad Oak credit facility term extended to April 11, 2013, at which time the outstanding balance would have been due. As defined in the Broad Oak credit facility, the Adjusted Base Rate Advances and Eurodollar Advances under the facilities bore interest payable quarterly at an Adjusted Base Rate or Adjusted LIBOR plus an applicable margin based on the ratio of outstanding revolving credit to the conforming borrowing base. At June 30, 2011, the applicable margin rates were 1.50% for the Adjusted Base Rate advances and 2.50% for the Eurodollar advances. Additionally, we were also required to pay a quarterly commitment fee of 0.5% on the unused portion of the bank's commitment.

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        The Broad Oak credit facility was secured by a first priority lien on Broad Oak's oil and gas properties.

        Concurrently with the Broad Oak acquisition on July 1, 2011, the Broad Oak credit facility was paid in full and terminated. Refer to Note O of our audited combined financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus for further discussion of the Broad Oak transaction.

        As of December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, borrowings outstanding under the Broad Oak credit facility totaled approximately $214.1 million, $44.6 million and $21.1 million, respectively.

Obligations and Commitments

        We had the following significant contractual obligations and commitments that will require capital resources at December 31, 2010:

 
  Payments due  
(in thousands)
  Less than
1 year
  1 - 3 years   3 - 5 years   More than
5 years
  Total  

Senior secured credit facility(1)

  $   $   $ 177,500   $   $ 177,500  

Term loan facility(1)

            100,000         100,000  

Broad Oak credit facility(1)

            214,100         214,100  

Drilling rig commitments(2)

    7,379                 7,379  

Derivative financial instruments(3)

    85     13,356             13,441  

Asset retirement obligations(4)

    731     1,224     283     6,040     8,278  

Office and equipment leases(5)

    1,265     2,248     1,059     89     4,661  
                       

Total

  $ 9,460   $ 16,828   $ 492,942   $ 6,129   $ 525,359  
                       

(1)
Includes outstanding principal amount at December 31, 2010. This table does not include future commitment fees, interest expense or other fees on these facilities because they are floating rate instruments and we cannot determine with accuracy the timing of future loan advances, repayments or future interest rates to be charged. As of December 31, 2010, the principal on our senior secured credit facility was due on July 7, 2014 and the principal on our term loan facility was due on January 7, 2015. The senior secured credit facility and the term loan facility were paid in full and the term loan facility was retired with the proceeds of our $350 million old notes offering on January 20, 2011. As of September 30, 2011, the principal due on our senior secured credit facility was $525.0 million. The Broad Oak credit facility was paid in full and terminated as of July 1, 2011. Additionally, with the completion of our January 2011 offering of old notes, we have incurred an additional obligation of $599.4 million in total principal and remaining interest payments as of September 30, 2011. Refer to Note O of our audited combined financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus for further discussion of the January 2011 offering of our old notes and use of proceeds. Refer to Note N of our unaudited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus for further discussion of our offering of an additional $200 million of old notes.

(2)
At December 31, 2010, we had several drilling rigs under term contracts which expire during 2011. Any other rig performing work for us is doing so on a well-by-well basis and therefore can be released without penalty at the conclusion of drilling on the current well. Therefore, drilling obligations on well-by-well rigs have not been included in the table above. The value in the table represents the gross amount that we are committed to pay. However, we will record our proportionate share based on our working interest in our audited combined financial statements as incurred. At September 30, 2011, our drilling rig commitments totaled approximately $16.9 million.

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(3)
Represents payments due for deferred premiums on our commodity hedging contracts. We entered into one new derivative contract in the third quarter of 2011 that had an associated deferred premium of approximately $1.5 million. The fair value of our total deferred premiums due was approximately $14.1 million at September 30, 2011.

(4)
Amounts represent our estimate of future asset retirement obligations. Because these costs typically extend many years into the future, estimating these future costs requires management to make estimates and judgments that are subject to future revisions based upon numerous factors, including the rate of inflation, changing technology and the political and regulatory environment. See Note B to our audited combined financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. Our total asset retirement obligation has increased to approximately $9.1 million as of September 30, 2011.

(5)
See Note K to our audited combined financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus for a description of lease obligations and drilling contract commitments. Our total office and equipment leases obligation has increased to approximately $5.3 million as a result of entering into a new lease for office space for Laredo Petroleum-Dallas, Inc. as of September 30, 2011.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

        The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America. The preparation of our financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Certain accounting policies involve judgments and uncertainties to such an extent that there is reasonable likelihood that materially different amounts could have been reported under different conditions, or if different assumptions had been used. We evaluate our estimates and assumptions on a regular basis. We base our estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates and assumptions used in preparation of our financial statements. We believe these accounting policies reflect our more significant estimates and assumptions used in preparation of our financial statements. See Note B to our combined financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus for a discussion of additional accounting policies and estimates made by management.

Method of accounting for oil and natural gas properties

        The accounting for our business is subject to special accounting rules that are unique to the oil and gas industry. There are two allowable methods of accounting for oil and gas business activities: the successful efforts method and the full cost method. We follow the full cost method of accounting under which all costs associated with property acquisition, exploration and development activities are capitalized. We also capitalize internal costs that can be directly identified with our acquisition, exploration and development activities and do not include any costs related to production, general corporate overhead or similar activities.

        Under the full cost method, capitalized costs are amortized on a composite unit of production method based on proved oil and gas reserves. If we maintain the same level of production year over year, the depreciation, depletion and amortization expense may be significantly different if our estimate of remaining reserves or future development costs changes significantly. Proceeds from the sale of properties are accounted for as reductions of capitalized costs unless such sales involve a significant change in the relationship between costs and proved reserves, in which case a gain or loss is recognized. The costs of unproved properties are excluded from amortization until the properties are

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evaluated. We review all of our unevaluated properties quarterly to determine whether or not and to what extent proved reserves have been assigned to the properties, and otherwise if impairment has occurred.

Oil and natural gas reserve quantities and standardized measure of future net revenue

        Our independent reserve engineers prepare the estimates of oil and gas reserves and associated future net cash flows. The SEC has defined proved reserves as the estimated quantities of oil and gas which geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions. The process of estimating oil and gas reserves is complex, requiring significant decisions in the evaluation of available geological, geophysical, engineering and economic data. The data for a given property may also change substantially over time as a result of numerous factors, including additional development activity, evolving production history and a continual reassessment of the viability of production under changing economic conditions. As a result, material revisions to existing reserve estimates occur from time to time. Although every reasonable effort is made to ensure that reserve estimates reported represent the most accurate assessments possible, the subjective decisions and variances in available data for various properties increase the likelihood of significant changes in these estimates. If such changes are material, they could significantly affect future amortization of capitalized costs and result in impairment of assets that may be material.

Revenue recognition

        Revenue from our interests in producing wells is recognized when the product is delivered, at which time the customer has taken title and assumed the risks and rewards of ownership and collectability is reasonably assured. The sales prices for oil and natural gas are adjusted for transportation and other related deductions. These deductions are based on contractual or historical data and do not require significant judgment. Subsequently, these revenue deductions are adjusted to reflect actual charges based on third party documents. Since there is a ready market for oil and natural gas, we sell the majority of production soon after it is produced at various locations.

Impairment

        We review the carrying value of our oil and gas properties under the full cost accounting rules of the SEC on a quarterly basis. This quarterly review is referred to as a ceiling test. Under the ceiling test, capitalized costs, less accumulated amortization and related deferred income taxes, may not exceed an amount equal to the sum of the present value of estimated future net revenues less estimated future expenditures to be incurred in developing and producing the proved reserves, less any related income tax effects. For the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, capitalized costs of oil and gas properties exceeded the estimated present value of future net revenues from our proved reserves, net of related income tax considerations, resulting in a write-down in the carrying value of oil and gas properties of $245.9 million and $282.6 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 and the year ended December 31, 2010, the result of the ceiling test concluded that the carrying amount of our oil and natural gas properties was significantly below the calculated ceiling test value and as such a write-down was not required. In calculating future net revenues, effective December 31, 2009, current prices are calculated as the average oil and gas prices during the preceding 12-month period prior to the end of the current reporting period, determined as the unweighted arithmetic average first-day-of- the-month prices for the prior 12-month period and costs used are those as of the end of the appropriate quarterly period. Prior to December 31, 2009, prices were calculated as posted prices on the last day of the appropriate period, adjusted by lease for energy content, transportation fees and regional price differentials for natural gas and as the posted price per barrel adjusted by lease for quality, transportation fees and regional price differentials for oil.

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Asset retirement obligations

        In accordance with the Financial Accounting Standard Board's (the "FASB") authoritative guidance on asset retirement obligations ("ARO"), we record the fair value of a liability for a legal obligation to retire an asset in the period in which the liability is incurred with the corresponding cost capitalized by increasing the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. For oil and gas properties, this is the period in which the well is drilled or acquired. The ARO represents the estimated amount we will incur to plug, abandon and remediate the properties at the end of their productive lives, in accordance with applicable state laws. The liability is accreted to its present value each period and the capitalized cost is depreciated on the unit of production method. The accretion expense is recorded as a component of depreciation, depletion and amortization in our statements of operations.

        We determine the ARO by calculating the present value of estimated cash flows related to the liability. Estimating the future ARO requires management to make estimates and judgments regarding timing and existence of a liability, as well as what constitutes adequate restoration. Included in the fair value calculation are assumptions and judgments including the ultimate costs, inflation factors, credit adjusted discount rates, timing of settlement and changes in the legal, regulatory, environmental and political environments. To the extent future revisions to these assumptions impact the fair value of the existing ARO liability, a corresponding adjustment is made to the related asset.

Derivatives

        We record all derivative instruments on the balance sheet as either assets or liabilities measured at their estimated fair value. We have not designated any derivative instruments as hedges for accounting purposes and we do not enter into such instruments for speculative trading purposes. Realized gains and realized losses from the settlement of commodity derivative instruments and unrealized gains and unrealized losses from valuation changes in the remaining unsettled commodity derivative instruments are reported under Other Income (Expense) in our statements of operations.

Income taxes

        At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 and 2009, we had deferred tax assets of $104.1 million, $155.0 million and $129.1 million, respectively. At December 31, 2009, our deferred tax asset included a valuation allowance of approximately $48.6 million, of which $47.9 million was subsequently reversed in the fourth quarter of 2010.

        As part of the process of preparing the consolidated financial statements, we are required to estimate the federal and state income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. This process involves estimating the actual current tax exposure together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items such as derivative instruments, depreciation, depletion and amortization, and certain accrued liabilities for tax and financial accounting purposes. These differences and our net operating loss carryforwards result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included in our consolidated balance sheet. We must then assess, using all available positive and negative evidence, the likelihood that the deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income. If we believe that recovery is not likely, we must establish a valuation allowance. Generally, to the extent we establish a valuation allowance or increase or decrease this allowance in a period, we must include an expense or reduction of expense within the tax provision in the consolidated statement of operations.

        Under accounting guidance for income taxes, an enterprise must use judgment in considering the relative impact of negative and positive evidence. The weight given to the potential effect of negative and positive evidence should be commensurate with the extent to which it can be objectively verified. The more negative evidence that exists (i) the more positive evidence is necessary and (ii) the more

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difficult it is to support a conclusion that a valuation allowance is not needed for all or a portion of the deferred tax asset. Among the more significant types of evidence that we consider are:

        During the fourth quarter of 2010, in evaluating whether it was more-likely-than-not that our deferred tax asset was recoverable from future net income, we considered that in both 2008 and 2009, we had net operating losses due to impairment expense recognized largely as a result of lower oil and natural gas prices experienced during the economic downturn, which led to a full cost ceiling impairment recognized in both 2008 and 2009. Based on our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2010 and the nine months ended September 30, 2011, we anticipate that our three-year cumulative loss will be eliminated by the end of 2011. Additionally, we considered our strong earnings history exclusive of the loss that created the future temporary difference, and that while a full cost ceiling impairment is possible in the future, we do not believe the impairments recorded in 2008 and 2009 are indicative of future full cost impairments based on the following: (i) the book basis of our oil and gas assets at December 31, 2010, (ii) the net basis differences in our oil and gas properties represented by a net deferred tax liability at December 31, 2010, and (iii) our full cost ceiling cushion at December 31, 2010. We believe it is proper and meaningful when analyzing the negative evidence of our historic three-year results to adjust for items that cannot be expected to occur on a similar basis during the future period allowed to recover the deferred tax asset, such as our full cost impairments noted above. We believe the adjusted three-year results provide less negative evidence than that presented by the unadjusted cumulative losses.

        We also determined through our analysis that our net operating loss carryforward deferred tax asset was recoverable over future years and that we had no material net operating losses expiring prior to 2026. In performing our analysis, we used inputs from third party sources, which came primarily from our reserve reports that were independently estimated by a third party engineer as well as future market pricing as determined by the New York Mercantile Exchange. Based on our forecasted results from multiple analyses, at December 31, 2010 and at September 30, 2011, future taxable income from our oil and gas reserves is expected to be sufficient to utilize the entire net operating loss carryforward in approximately six to eight years. We believe this analysis provides significant positive evidence that is objectively verifiable, as it uses three-year historical operating results to predict future taxable income. We considered all applicable tax deductions in our analysis which were substantially known and were not subject to significant estimates. Based on this, we determined in the fourth quarter of 2010 that given the proper weight of the positive evidence noted above as compared to the negative evidence of our cumulative net losses, it was more-likely-than-not that our deferred tax asset would be recovered.

        We will continue to assess the need for a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets considering all available evidence obtained in future reporting periods. If our assumptions regarding forecasted production, pricing and margins are not achieved by amounts in excess of our sensitivity analysis, it may have a significant impact on the corresponding taxable income which may require a valuation allowance to be recorded against our deferred tax assets at that time.

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Recent Accounting Pronouncements

        In May 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2011-04, Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRS, which provides a consistent definition of fair value and common requirements for measurement of and disclosure about fair value between GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. This new guidance changes some fair value measurement principles and disclosure requirements, but does not require additional fair value measurements and is not intended to establish valuation standards or affect valuation practices outside of financial reporting. The update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011 and we are in the process of evaluating the impact, if any, the adoption of this update will have on our financial statements.

Inflation

        Inflation in the U.S. has been relatively low in recent years and did not have a material impact on our results of operations for the period from December 31, 2008 through the nine months ended September 30, 2011. Although the impact of inflation has been insignificant in recent years, it continues to be a factor in the U.S. economy and we do experience inflationary pressure on the costs of oilfield services and equipment as drilling activity increases in the areas in which we operate.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

        The primary objective of the following information is to provide forward-looking quantitative and qualitative information about our potential exposure to market risk. The term "market risk" refers to the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in oil and gas prices and interest rates. The disclosures are not meant to be precise indicators of expected future losses, but rather indicators of how we view and manage our ongoing market risk exposures. All of our market risk sensitive instruments were entered into for hedging purposes, rather than for speculative trading.

        Commodity price exposure.    For a discussion of how we use financial commodity put, collar, swap and basis swap contracts to mitigate some of the potential negative impact on our cash flow caused by changes in oil and gas prices, see "—Hedging."

        Interest rate risk.    As part of our senior secured credit facility, we have debt which bears interest at a floating rate. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the weighted average indebtedness outstanding on our senior secured credit facility bore a weighted average interest rate of 2.49%. Based on the total outstanding borrowings under this facility at September 30, 2011 of $525.0 million, a 1.0% increase in each of the average LIBOR rates and federal funds rates would result in an estimated $5.3 million increase in interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2011 before giving effect to interest rate derivatives.

        Through interest rate derivative contracts, we have attempted to mitigate our exposure to changes in interest rates. We have entered into various fixed interest rate swap and cap agreements which hedge our exposure to interest rate variations on our senior secured credit facility. At September 30, 2011, we had interest rate swaps and one interest rate cap outstanding for a notional amount of $260.0 million with fixed pay rates ranging from 1.11% to 3.41% and terms expiring from June 2012 to September 2013.

        Counterparty and customer credit risk.    Our principal exposures to credit risk are through receivables resulting from derivatives contracts (approximately $39.8 million at September 30, 2011), joint interest receivables and the receivables from the sale of our oil and natural gas production, which we market to energy marketing companies and refineries.

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        We are subject to credit risk due to the concentration of our oil and natural gas receivables with several significant customers. We do not require our customers to post collateral, and the inability of our significant customers to meet their obligations to us or their insolvency or liquidation may adversely affect our financial results. At September 30, 2011, we had three customers that made up approximately 35%, 16% and 13% of our total oil and gas sales accounts receivable. At December 31, 2010, we had three customers that made up approximately 41%, 16% and 14% of our total oil and gas sales accounts receivable. At December 31, 2009, we had two customers that made up approximately 43% and 17% of our total oil and gas sales accounts receivable, respectively.

        Joint operations receivables arise from billings to entities that own partial interests in the wells we operate. These entities participate in our wells primarily based on their ownership in leases on which we intend to drill. We have little ability to control who participates in our wells. At September 30, 2011, we had four customers that made up approximately 21%, 19%, 19% and 18% of our total joint operations receivables. At December 31, 2010, we had two customers that made up approximately 77% and 11% of our total joint operations receivables. At December 31, 2009, we had two interest owners that made up approximately 38% and 23% of our total joint operations receivables.

        Refer to Note I of our unaudited consolidated financial statements and Note J of our audited combined financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus for additional disclosures regarding credit risk.

Off-balance Sheet Arrangements

        Currently, we do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements other than operating leases, which are included in "—Obligations and Commitments."

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BUSINESS

Company Overview

        We are an independent energy company focused on the exploration, development and acquisition of oil and natural gas in the Permian and Mid-Continent regions of the United States. Our activities are primarily focused in the Wolfberry and deeper horizons of the Permian Basin in West Texas and the Anadarko Granite Wash in the Texas Panhandle and Western Oklahoma, where we have assembled 127,041 net acres and 37,740 net acres, respectively. These plays are characterized by high oil and liquids-rich natural gas content, multiple target horizons, extensive production histories, long-lived reserves, high drilling success rates and significant initial production rates.

        Based upon drilling results from over 660 of our gross vertical wells, we believe our economic vertical program in these areas has been largely de-risked. Our vertical development drilling activity is complemented by a rapidly emerging horizontal drilling program, which may add significant production and reserves in multiple producing horizons on the same acreage. These drilling programs comprise an extensive, multi-year inventory of exploratory and development opportunities. As of November 25, 2011, we have drilled 25 gross horizontal wells in the Permian and 12 gross horizontal wells in the Anadarko Granite Wash.

        Laredo Inc. was founded in October 2006 by our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Randy A. Foutch, who was later joined by other members of our management team, many of whom have worked together for a decade or more. Prior to founding Laredo, Mr. Foutch formed, built and sold three private oil and gas companies, all of which were focused on the same general areas of the Permian and Mid-Continent regions in which Laredo currently operates. In 1991, Mr. Foutch formed Colt Resources Corporation ("Colt"), with an institutional sponsor. Colt was sold in a private transaction in 1996 for approximately $33.5 million. In 1997, Mr. Foutch formed Lariat Petroleum, Inc. ("Lariat") with a large institutional sponsor investing approximately $74 million and using approximately $100 million of debt. In 2001, Lariat subsequently was sold for approximately $333 million. Most recently, in 2002, Mr. Foutch and several of our current managers formed Latigo Petroleum, Inc. ("Latigo"), with institutional sponsors investing approximately $160 million, and utilizing an additional approximately $200 million of debt. Latigo was sold in 2006 for approximately $750 million. All of these companies executed the same fundamental business strategy in the same general operating areas that created significant growth in cash flow, production and reserves.

        Since our inception, we have rapidly grown our cash flow, production and reserves through our drilling program. We also seek acquisition opportunities that are complementary to our assets and provide upside potential that is competitive with our existing property portfolio. On July 1, 2011, we completed the acquisition of Broad Oak Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation, for a combination of equity and cash. This acquisition provided us incremental scale and significant additional exposure to attractive vertical and horizontal oil and liquids-rich natural gas opportunities. The acquired properties are concentrated on a contiguous land position located in the Permian Basin, primarily in Reagan County, and are being drilled targeting Wolfberry production. This acreage, totaling approximately 64,000 net acres, approximately doubled our Permian Basin position and is immediately south of and on trend with our legacy Permian Basin properties in Glasscock and Howard Counties. We believe the success Laredo has achieved to date in drilling our vertical and horizontal wells may add significant value to this newly acquired acreage.

        Our net cash provided by operating activities was approximately $233.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. Our net average daily production for the same period was approximately 22,842 BOE/D, and our net proved reserves were an estimated 137,052 MBOE as of June 30, 2011.

        The following table summarizes net acreage and producing wells as of September 30, 2011, total estimated net proved reserves as of June 30, 2011, and average daily production for the nine months

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ended September 30, 2011 in our principal operating regions. Our reserve estimates as of June 30, 2011 are based on a report prepared by Ryder Scott, our independent reserve engineers. Based on such report, we operate wells that represent approximately 98% of the value of our proved developed oil and natural gas reserves as of June 30, 2011. In addition, the table shows our gross identified potential drilling locations and our proved undeveloped locations as of June 30, 2011.

 
  At June 30, 2011    
   
   
   
 
 
  Nine months
ending
September 30,
2011
average daily
production(6)
   
   
   
 
 
   
   
   
  Identified
potential
drilling
locations(4)
  At September 30, 2011  
 
  Estimated net
proved
reserves(1)(2)
 
 
   
  Producing
wells
 
 
   
  % of
Total
reserves
   
   
  PUD
locations(5)
  Net
acreage
 
 
  MBOE(3)   % Oil   Total   (BOE/D)   Gross   Net  

Permian

    86,007     63 %   49%     5,764     804     14,139     127,041     561     543  

Anadarko Granite Wash

    40,582     30 %   8%     351     189     5,891     37,740     164     122  

Other(7)

    10,463     7 %   3%             2,812     159,354     353     179  
                                       
 

Total

    137,052     100 %   34%     6,115     993     22,842     324,135     1,078     844  
                                       

(1)
Our estimated net proved reserves were prepared by Ryder Scott as of June 30, 2011 and are based on reference oil and natural gas prices. In accordance with applicable rules of the SEC, the reference oil and natural gas prices are derived from the average trailing twelve-month index prices (calculated as the unweighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month price for each month within the applicable twelve-month period), held constant throughout the life of the properties. The reference prices were $86.60/Bbl for oil and $4.00/MMBtu for natural gas for the twelve months ended June 30, 2011.

(2)
Our reserves are reported in two streams: crude oil and liquids-rich natural gas. The economic value of the natural gas liquids in our natural gas is included in the wellhead natural gas price. The reference prices referred to above that were utilized in the June 30, 2011 reserve report prepared by Ryder Scott are adjusted for natural gas liquids content, quality, transportation fees, geographical differentials, marketing bonuses or deductions and other factors affecting the price received at the wellhead. The adjusted reference prices in the Permian area were $7.07/Mcf and $6.79/Mcf for the legacy Laredo and Broad Oak properties, respectively, and $4.84/Mcf in the Anadarko Granite Wash area.

(3)
MBbl equivalents ("MBOE") converted at a rate of six MMcf per one MBbl.

(4)
See below for more information regarding the processes and criteria through which these potential drilling locations were identified.

(5)
Represents the number of identified potential drilling locations to which proved undeveloped reserves are attributable.

(6)
Our average daily production volumes are reported in two streams: crude oil and liquids-rich natural gas. The economic value of the natural gas liquids in our natural gas is included in the wellhead natural gas price.

(7)
Includes our acreage in the gas prone Eastern Anadarko (37,285 net acres) and Central Texas Panhandle (48,012 net acres), as well as the Dalhart Basin, which is a new exploration effort (74,057 net acres) targeting liquid rich formations that are less than 7,000 feet in depth.

        We have assembled a multi-year inventory of development drilling and exploitation projects as a result of our early acquisition of technical data, early establishment of significant acreage positions and successful exploratory drilling. We plan to continue our conventional vertical drilling programs, especially in the Permian Basin, and to further de-risk our rapidly emerging horizontal plays in both the

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Permian and Anadarko Basins. As of November 25, 2011, we have a total of 16 operated drilling rigs running. Ten of these rigs are working on our properties in the Permian Basin, seven of which are drilling vertical wells and three are drilling horizontal wells. Five rigs are operating on our properties in the Anadarko Granite Wash, three of which are drilling horizontal wells, and two are drilling vertical wells. We also have one rig drilling in the Dalhart Basin.

        In the drilling and development of hydrocarbon reserves, there are three key factors that can have an effect on our objective of establishing commercial production. Each of these factors must be addressed in order to reduce the risk and uncertainty associated with (or "de-risk") our exploration and production program:

        We carefully assess and monitor all three factors in our drilling and exploration projects. Our drilling activities in areas containing extensive historical industry activity have enabled us to determine whether a prospective reservoir underlies our acreage position, and whether it can be defined both vertically and horizontally. We use a number of proven mapping techniques to understand the physical extent of the targeted reservoir. This includes 2D and 3D seismic data, as well as Laredo-owned and historical public well databases (which in the Anadarko Basin may extend back approximately 50 years and in the Permian basin over 80 years). We also utilize our laboratory and field derived data from whole cores, sidewall cores, well cuttings, mudlogs and open-hole well logs to understand the petro-physics of the rock characteristics prior to the commencement of any completion operations. Finally, after defining the reservoir, our engineers utilize their technical expertise to develop completion programs that we believe will maximize the amount of hydrocarbons that can be recovered. As more wells are completed in the targeted reservoir and additional data becomes available, the process is further refined (and further "de-risked") in order to minimize costs and maximize recoveries.

        As of June 30, 2011, we have identified a total of 6,115 gross potential drilling locations, 5,764 of which underlie our Permian Basin acreage and 351 of which are located in our Anadarko Basin focus area. Both areas have a vertical and horizontal drilling component relative to the types of potential drilling locations. While the Permian and Anadarko areas share some of the same qualifying technical metrics that define a potential location, as a matter of clarification, we consider the Granite Wash area to represent a conventional drilling program, while the potential locations identified in the Permian are characterized as a resource play.

        In the Anadarko Basin, both the Granite Wash horizontal and vertical potential locations have been identified through a series of detailed maps which we have internally generated based on an extensive geological and engineering database. Information incorporated into this process includes both our own proprietary information as well as industry data available in the public domain. Specifically, open hole logging data, production statistics from operated and non-operated wells, petrophysical data describing the reservoir rock as derived from cores and, where appropriate, 3D seismic data provide the technical basis from which we identified the potential locations. We anticipate that in the Anadarko Basin, a majority of these locations will be drilled within the next 3-5 years (assuming a utilization rate of 3-4 rigs per year), subject primarily to commodity pricing and the continued success of our existing drilling program.

        In the Permian Basin, both the Wolfberry interval (comprised of multiple producing formations) and the individual targeted shale formations are considered a resource play. As such, the mapping of the gross interval for each of the producing formations underlying a majority of our entire acreage

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position is the main factor we considered in identifying our potential locations. In the general region and immediately around our acreage position, publicly available well data exists from a significant number of vertical wells (in excess of several thousand for the Cline Shale alone) that have allowed us to define the areal extent of each of the producing intervals, whether the whole vertical Wolfberry section or the targeted Cline and Wolfcamp Shales. In addition to this publicly available well data, we have also incorporated our internally generated information from cores, 3D seismic, open hole logging and reservoir engineering data into defining the extent of the targeted intervals, the ability of such intervals to produce commercial quantities of hydrocarbons, and the viability of the potential locations. Based on our currently projected capital expenditure budget, we estimate that by the end of 2013 we will have drilled approximately 423 of these potential locations that are not currently booked as proved undeveloped. As with the Granite Wash drilling program, the timing of drilling the identified potential Permian locations will be influenced by several factors, including commodity prices, capital requirements, Texas Railroad Commission well-spacing requirements and a continuation of the positive results from both our the vertical and horizontal development drilling program.

Our Business Strategy

        Our goal is to enhance stockholder value by economically growing our cash flow, production and reserves by executing the following strategy:

        Grow production and reserves through our lower-risk vertical drilling.    We leverage our operating and technical expertise to establish large, contiguous acreage positions. We believe that we have reduced the risk and uncertainty associated with (or "de-risked") our core acreage positions by our vertical development activity, and we intend to generate significant growth in cash flows, production and reserves by drilling our inventory of locations. Our vertical development drilling program provides repeatable, predictable, low-risk production growth but also serves as an efficient way to obtain additional critical sub-surface data to target potential horizontal wells.

        Increase recovery and capital efficiency through our horizontal drilling.    Our horizontal drilling program is designed to further capture the upside potential that may exist on our properties. Horizontal drilling may significantly increase our well performance and recoveries compared to our vertical wells. In addition, horizontal drilling may be economic in areas where vertical drilling is currently not economical or logistically viable. We believe multiple vertically stacked producing horizons may be developed using horizontal drilling techniques in both our Permian and Anadarko Granite Wash plays.

        Apply our technical expertise to reduce risk in our current asset portfolio, optimize our development program and evaluate emerging opportunities.    Our management team has significant experience in successfully identifying opportunities to enhance our cash flow, production and reserves in the basins in which we operate. Our practice is to make a substantial upfront investment to understand the geology, geophysics and reservoir parameters of the rock formations that define our exploration and development programs. Through comprehensive coring programs, acquisition and evaluation of high quality 3D seismic data and advance logging / simulation technologies, we seek to economically de-risk our opportunities to the extent possible before committing to a drilling program.

        Enhance returns through prudent capital allocation and continued improvements in operational and cost efficiencies.    In the current commodity price environment, we have directed our capital spending toward oil and liquids-rich drilling opportunities that provide attractive returns. Our management team is focused on continuous improvement of our operating practices and has significant experience in successfully converting exploration programs into cost efficient development projects. Operational control allows us to more effectively manage operating costs, the pace of development activities, technical applications, the gathering and marketing of our production and capital allocation. Laredo is

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the operator in our joint ventures, having drilled 24 wells in the Exxon Mobil joint venture and 128 wells under the Linn Energy joint venture as of September 30, 2011.

        Evaluate and pursue value enhancing acquisitions, mergers and joint ventures.    While we believe our multi-year inventory of identified potential drilling locations provides us with significant growth opportunities, we will continue to evaluate strategically compelling asset acquisitions, mergers and joint ventures within our core areas. Any transaction we pursue will generally complement our asset base and provide a competitive economic proposition relative to our existing opportunities. Our Laredo operated joint ventures with Exxon Mobil and Linn Energy, our 2008 acquisition of properties from Linn Energy and our recently completed acquisition of Broad Oak are examples of this strategy.

        Proactively manage risk to limit downside.    We continually monitor and control our business and operating risks through various risk management practices, including maintaining a conservative financial profile, making significant upfront investment in research and development as well as data acquisition, owning and operating our natural gas gathering systems with multiple sales outlets, minimizing long-term contracts, maintaining an active commodity hedging program and employing prudent safety and environmental practices.

Our Competitive Strengths

        We have a number of competitive strengths that we believe will help us to successfully execute our business strategy:

        Management team with extensive operating experience in core areas of operation.    Our management team has extensive industry experience and proven record of providing a significant return on investment. Four of our six senior officers have worked with Mr. Foutch at one or more of his previous companies. This has resulted in a high degree of continuity among members of our executive management and has enabled us to attract and retain key employees from previous companies as well as other successful exploration and production companies. Each of Mr. Foutch's previous companies focused on the same general areas of the Permian and Anadarko Basins in which Laredo currently operates. Most members of our management team have over twenty years of experience and knowledge directly associated with our current primary operating areas. As of November 25, 2011 approximately 58% of our full-time employees are experienced technical employees, including 22 petroleum engineers, 21 geoscientists, 17 landmen and 46 technical support staff.

        Economic, multi-year drilling inventory.    We have assembled a portfolio of over 6,100 gross identified potential drilling locations. We believe our focus on data-rich, mature producing basins with well studied geology, engineering practices and concentrated operation, combined with new technologies in the Permian and Anadarko Basins, as well as our disciplined assessment and monitoring of the three factors that we believe help to de-risk our drilling and exploration projects, as described above, significantly decreases the risk profile of our identified drilling locations. As of November 25, 2011, we have approximately 1,519 square miles of 3D seismic data supporting our exploratory and development drilling programs. From our formation in 2006 through September 30, 2011, we have drilled over 700 gross vertical and horizontal wells with a success rate of approximately 99%. Our drilling activity has been and will continue to be focused on liquids-rich opportunities in the Permian Basin and Anadarko Granite Wash, where we see liquids-rich natural gas that ranges from 1,235 to 1,440 Btu per cubic foot and 1,135 to 1,180 Btu per cubic foot, respectively. Pursuant to our existing percentage of proceeds contracts during September 2011, our natural gas liquids yield was 131 Bbls/MMcf in the Permian Basin and 66 Bbls/MMcf in the Anadarko Granite Wash and our ratio of residue natural gas to wellhead natural gas was 69% and 82%, respectively.

        Significant operational control.    We operate wells that represent approximately 98% of the value of our proved developed oil and natural gas reserves as of June 30, 2011, based on a report prepared by

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Ryder Scott. We believe that maintaining operating control permits us to better pursue our strategies of enhancing returns through operational and cost efficiencies and maximizing ultimate hydrocarbon recoveries from mature producing basins through reservoir analysis and evaluation and continuous improvement of drilling, completion and stimulation techniques. We expect to maintain operation control over most of our identified potential drilling locations.

        Our gathering infrastructure provides secure and timely takeaway capacity and enhanced economics.    Our wholly-owned subsidiary, Laredo Gas Services, LLC, has invested approximately $52 million in over 200 miles of pipeline in our natural gas gathering systems in the Permian and Anadarko Basins as of September 30, 2011. We have also installed over 430 miles of natural gas gathering lines to 58 central delivery points on our Permian acreage in Reagan County. These systems and flow lines provide greater operational efficiency and lower differentials for our natural gas production in our liquids-rich Permian and Anadarko Granite Wash plays and enable us to coordinate our activities to connect our wells to market upon completion with minimal days waiting on pipeline. Additionally, they provide us with multiple sales outlets through interconnecting pipelines, minimizing the risks of shut-ins awaiting pipeline connection or curtailment by downstream pipelines.

        Financial strength and flexibility.    We maintain a conservative financial profile in order to preserve operational flexibility and financial stability. At September 30, 2011, on a pro forma basis as adjusted, after giving effect to the offering of $200 million of old notes on October 19, 2011 and the application of the proceeds therefrom, we would have had approximately $325 million available for borrowings under our senior secured credit facility and total debt of approximately $877 million, which is 2.8 times our annualized Adjusted EBITDA for the first nine months of 2011. We believe that our operating cash flow and the aforementioned liquidity sources and access to capital resources provide us with the ability to implement our planned exploration and development activities.

        Strong institutional investor support and corporate governance.    Warburg Pincus is our institutional investor and has many years of relevant experience in financing and supporting exploration and production companies and management teams, having been the lead investor in several such companies. Warburg Pincus has been an institutional investor in two previous companies operated by members of our management team. To date, Warburg Pincus, certain members of our management and our independent directors have together invested a total of $710 million of equity in Laredo. Including amounts contributed subsequent to June 30, 2011, $18.6 million is attributable to our management team. We believe that our board of directors is exceptionally qualified and represents a significant resource. It is comprised of Laredo management, representatives of Warburg Pincus and independent individuals with extensive industry and business expertise. We actively engage our board of directors on a regular basis for their expertise on strategic, financial, governance and risk management activities.

Focus Areas

        We focus on developing a balanced inventory of quality drilling opportunities that provide us with the operational flexibility to economically develop and produce oil and natural gas reserves from conventional and unconventional formations. Our properties are currently located in the prolific Permian and Mid-Continent regions of the United States, where we leverage our experience and knowledge to identify and exploit additional upside potential. We have been successful in delivering repeatable results through internally generated vertical and horizontal drilling programs.

Permian Basin

        The Permian Basin, located in west Texas and southeastern New Mexico, is one of the most prolific onshore oil and natural gas producing regions in the United States. It is characterized by an extensive production history, mature infrastructure, long reserve life and hydrocarbon potential in multiple intervals. Our Permian activities are centered on the eastern side of the basin approximately

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35 miles east of Midland, Texas in Glasscock, Howard, Reagan and Sterling Counties. As of September 30, 2011, we held 127,041 net acres in over 300 sections with an average working interest of 97% in wells drilled to date.

        The overall Wolfberry interval, the principal focus of our drilling activities, is an oil play that also includes a liquids-rich natural gas component. Our production/exploration fairway extends approximately 20 miles wide and 80 miles long. While exploration and drilling efforts in the southern half of our acreage block have been centered on the shallower portion of the Wolfberry (Spraberry, Dean and Wolfcamp formations) the emphasis in the northern half has been on the deeper intervals, including the Wolfcamp, Cline Shale, Strawn and Atoka formations. Considering the geology and the reservoir extent of each contributing formation, we now have identified significant potential throughout our total acreage block for the entire Wolfberry interval from the shallow zones to the deepest.

        As of September 30, 2011 we have drilled and completed over 500 gross vertical wells and have defined the productive limits on our acreage throughout the trend. The success of our vertical drilling program, coupled with industry activity, has substantially reduced risks associated with our future drilling programs in the Wolfberry interval.

        We have expanded our drilling program to include a horizontal component targeting the Cline and Wolfcamp Shales. The drilling of the Cline Shale, located in the lower Wolfberry, was initiated after our extensive technical review that included coring and testing the Cline separately in multiple vertical wells. We believe the Cline Shale exhibits similar petrophysical attributes and favorable economics compared to other liquids-rich shale plays operated by other companies, such as in the Eagle Ford and Bakken Shale formations. We have acquired 3D seismic data to assist in fracture analysis and the definition of the structural component within the Cline Shale.

        We have drilled three gross horizontal Wolfcamp Shale wells as of November 25, 2011 with encouraging results out of the uppermost interval (the Wolfcamp "A"). The Wolfcamp "B" and "C" Shale intervals also look prospective based on open hole logs and petrophysical data we have gathered through coring. This data, along with industry activity to the south, suggests that multiple, repeatable shale opportunities underlay a majority of our acreage position. As of November 25, 2011, we have drilled a total of 23 gross horizontal wells in the Wolfcamp and Cline formations, of which 20 are in the Cline Shale and three in the Wolfcamp Shale.

        We have approximately 5,764 total gross identified potential drilling locations (both vertical and horizontal) in the Permian, all of which are within the larger Wolfberry interval.

Anadarko Granite Wash

        Straddling the Texas/Oklahoma state line, our Granite Wash play extends over a large area in the western part of the Anadarko Basin. As of September 30, 2011, we held 37,740 net acres in Hemphill County, Texas and Roger Mills County, Oklahoma. Our play consists of vertical and horizontal drilling opportunities targeting the liquids-rich Granite Wash formation. By utilizing the whole core data we obtained early in the exploration process and the subsurface information from our vertical wells, enhanced logging techniques and other wells drilled by the industry, we have developed a detailed regional geologic depositional and engineering understanding. As a result, we have been able to target our current vertical development drilling program in the higher productive areas. As of September 30, 2011, we have drilled and completed approximately 150 gross vertical wells.

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        Our horizontal Granite Wash program is in the evaluation phase with our current emphasis on reducing risks through our drilling program and by incorporating practices similar to the industry's successful drilling results in the immediate area. The economic viability of our Anadarko Granite Wash horizontal program has been validated by our recent completions and by the announced success of our competitors in close proximity to our acreage. In addition to the Granite Wash zones tested to date, we believe that additional potential upside exists within the multiple mapped and targeted horizontal Granite Wash zones that remain to be tested. As a result of our and the industry's recent horizontal success, we anticipate the majority of our Granite Wash drilling going forward to be horizontal. As of June 30, 2011, we have approximately 101 gross identified potential drilling locations for the horizontal Granite Wash, which includes both our Texas and Oklahoma acreage.

        In addition to the Granite Wash intervals in this area, there are both shallower and deeper zones that we believe are prospective, including the Cleveland and Morrow channel sands. We have acquired 3D seismic data to help further define the areal extent of these additional formations. Considering the Granite Wash and Upper Morrow intervals identified as of June 30, 2011, we estimate there are approximately 351 gross identified potential vertical and horizontal drilling locations, of which the majority are in the Granite Wash.

Other Areas

        In addition to our Permian Wolfberry and Anadarko Granite Wash plays, we continue to evaluate opportunities in three other areas within our core operating regions. We believe that our activity in the Dalhart Basin has positioned us to begin drilling three wells budgeted for 2011. We expect the other two areas, which represent 12% of our production and 7% of our estimated proved reserves as of June 30, 2011, could become more compelling in the future with improving commodity prices.

        The Dalhart Basin is located on the western side of the Texas Panhandle. As of September 30, 2011, we held 74,057 net acres in the Dalhart Basin. It is characterized by both a conventional Granite Wash play and several potential liquids-rich shale plays that may underlie a significant portion of the entire area. Both targeted intervals are considered oil plays at depths of less than 7,000 feet. Our initial 3D seismic program of approximately 155 square miles was recently completed and is in the final stages of being interpreted.

        The second area is centrally located in the Central Texas Panhandle, where our operations are currently conducted through our joint venture with ExxonMobil. As of September 30, 2011, we held 48,012 net acres in the Central Texas Panhandle. The prospective zones in this area are relatively shallow (less than 9,500 feet), with a majority being predominately natural gas.

        The third area is located in the eastern end of the Anadarko Basin, in Caddo County, Oklahoma. As of September 30, 2011, we held 37,285 net acres in the Eastern Anadarko. There are multiple targets to drill in this area, varying in depth between 8,000 feet and 22,000 feet, which are predominantly dry natural gas. While our economic metrics require higher natural gas prices to justify additional drilling, the area could play a significant role in our future if natural gas prices increase.

Our Operations

Estimated proved reserves

        Unless otherwise specifically identified in this prospectus, the information with respect to our estimated proved reserves presented below has been prepared by Ryder Scott, our independent reserve engineers, in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC applicable to the periods presented. Our net proved reserves are estimated at 137,052 MBOE as of June 30, 2011, 39% of which were classified as proved developed and 34% oil. The following table presents summary data for each of our core operating areas as of June 30, 2011 (prepared in accordance with the SEC's rules regarding oil and natural gas reserve reporting that are currently in effect), unless otherwise noted. Our estimated

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proved reserves at June 30, 2011 assume our ability to fund the capital costs necessary for their development and are impacted by pricing assumptions. See "Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—Estimating reserves and future net revenues involves uncertainties. Decreases in oil and natural gas prices, or negative revisions to reserve estimates or assumptions as to future oil and natural gas prices, may lead to decreased earnings, losses or impairment of oil and natural gas assets" and "—Our estimates of proved reserves as of December 31, 2009, December 31, 2010 and June 30, 2011 have been prepared under current SEC rules that went into effect for fiscal years ending on or after December 31, 2009, which may make comparisons to prior periods difficult and could limit our ability to book additional proved undeveloped reserves in the future." In addition, we may not be able to raise the amounts of capital that would be necessary to drill a substantial portion of our proved undeveloped reserves.

 
  At June 30, 2011  
 
  Proved reserves  
 
  (MBOE)(1)
 

Area

       
 

Permian Basin

    86,007  
 

Anadarko Granite Wash

    40,582  
 

Other(2)

    10,463  
       
   

Total

    137,052  
       

(1)
MBbl equivalents ("MBOE") are calculated using a conversion rate of six MMcf per one MBbl.

(2)
Includes Eastern Anadarko, Central Texas Panhandle and Dalhart Basin.

        The following table sets forth more information regarding our estimated proved reserves at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008. Ryder Scott, our independent reserve engineers, estimated 100% of our combined proved reserves at December 31, 2010 and June 30, 2011. Ryder Scott also estimated the proved reserves for the legacy Laredo properties as of December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008. Ryder Scott did not perform evaluations of the Broad Oak properties on these dates. Our estimates of the combined proved reserves at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 are a combination of the Ryder Scott reports on the legacy Laredo properties and Laredo's internal proved reserve estimates of the Broad Oak properties. Based upon such reserve estimates we calculated for Broad Oak, we believe the legacy Laredo properties represented 92% and 96% of such combined proved reserves at year end 2009 and 2008, respectively. The reserve estimates at December 31, 2008 were prepared in accordance with the SEC's rules regarding oil and natural gas reserve reporting in effect for years ending prior to December 31, 2009. The reserve estimates at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 and 2009 were prepared in accordance with the SEC's rules regarding oil and natural gas reserve reporting currently in effect. A copy of the summary report prepared by Ryder

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Scott as of June 30, 2011 is included as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. The information in the following table does not give any effect to our commodity hedges.

 
   
  At December 31,  
 
  At June 30,
2011
 
 
  2010   2009   2008  

Estimated proved reserves:

                         
 

Oil and condensate (MBbl)

    45,929     44,847     5,928     3,508  
 

Natural gas (MMCF)

    546,741     550,278     279,549     244,051  
   

Total estimated proved reserves (MBOE)(1)

    137,052     136,560     52,519     44,183  
 

Proved developed producing (MBOE)(1)

    49,286     39,300     23,333 (2)   16,336 (3)
 

Proved developed non-producing (MBOE)(1)

    4,422     5,533     2,106     3,032  
 

Proved undeveloped (MBOE)(1)

    83,344     91,727     27,080 (4)   24,815 (5)
 

Percent developed

    39 %   33 %   48 %   44 %

(1)
MBbl equivalents ("MBOE") are calculated using a conversion rate of six MMcf per one MBbl.

(2)
Laredo selected only the PDP wells in the December 31, 2010 Ryder Scott report that were PDP on January 1, 2010 and added the 2010 production from this group of wells to the December 31, 2010 Ryder Scott forecast on these wells to estimate the PDP reserves as of December 31, 2009. New wells drilled in 2010 were considered to be reserve adds during the year and are not included as PDP reserves at December 31, 2009.

(3)
Laredo selected only the PDP wells in the December 31, 2010 Ryder Scott report that were PDP on January 1, 2009 and added the 2009 and 2010 production from this group of wells to the December 31, 2010 Ryder Scott forecast to estimate the PDP reserves at December 31, 2008. New wells drilled in 2009 and 2010 were considered to be reserve adds and are not included as PDP reserves at December 31, 2008.

(4)
Laredo applied the year-end 2009 SEC prices of $3.15/MMBtu and $57.04/Bbl to the PUD's identified in the December 31, 2010 Ryder Scott report and determined that five locations are economic and only these locations/reserves are captured in the December 31, 2009 proved undeveloped estimates.

(5)
All of the legacy Broad Oak PUD's in the December 31, 2010 Ryder Scott reserve report are uneconomical at year-end 2008 SEC prices of $4.68/MMBtu and $44.60/Bbl. Therefore, there are no legacy Broad Oak PUD reserves at December 31, 2008.

        Technology used to establish proved reserves.    Under the SEC rules, proved reserves are those quantities of oil and natural gas that by analysis of geoscience and engineering data can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be economically producible from a given date forward from known reservoirs, and under existing economic conditions, operating methods and government regulations. The term "reasonable certainty" implies a high degree of confidence that the quantities of oil and/or natural gas actually recovered will equal or exceed the estimate. Reasonable certainty can be established using techniques that have been proven effective by actual production from projects in the same reservoir or an analogous reservoir or by other evidence using reliable technology that establishes reasonable certainty. Reliable technology is a grouping of one or more technologies (including computational methods) that has been field tested and has been demonstrated to provide reasonably certain results with consistency and repeatability in the formation being evaluated or in an analogous formation.

        To establish reasonable certainty with respect to our estimated proved reserves, our internal reserve engineers and Ryder Scott, our independent reserve engineers, employed technologies that have been demonstrated to yield results with consistency and repeatability. The technologies and economic data used in the estimation of our proved reserves include, but are not limited to, open hole logs, core analyses, geologic maps, available downhole and production data and seismic data. Reserves

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attributable to producing wells with sufficient production history were estimated using appropriate decline curves, material balance calculations or other performance relationships. Reserves attributable to producing wells with limited production history and for undeveloped locations were estimated using pore volume calculations and performance from analogous wells in the surrounding area and geologic data to assess the reservoir continuity. These wells were considered to be analogous based on production performance from the same formation and completion using similar techniques.

        Qualifications of technical persons and internal controls over reserves estimation process.    In accordance with the Standards Pertaining to the Estimating and Auditing of Oil and Gas Reserves Information promulgated by the Society of Petroleum Engineers and guidelines established by the SEC, Ryder Scott, our independent reserve engineers, estimated 100% of our proved reserve information as of June 30, 2011 included in this prospectus. The technical persons responsible for preparing the reserves estimates presented herein meet the requirements regarding qualifications, independence, objectivity and confidentiality set forth in the Standards Pertaining to the Estimating and Auditing of Oil and Gas Reserves Information promulgated by the Society of Petroleum Engineers.

        We maintain an internal staff of petroleum engineers and geoscience professionals who work closely with our independent reserve engineers to ensure the integrity, accuracy and timeliness of data furnished to Ryder Scott in their reserves estimation process. Our technical team meets regularly with representatives of Ryder Scott to review properties and discuss methods and assumptions used in Ryder Scott's preparation of the year-end reserves estimates. The Ryder Scott reserve report is reviewed with representatives of Ryder Scott and our internal technical staff before dissemination of the information. Additionally, our senior management reviews the Ryder Scott reserve report.

        John E. Minton, our Senior Vice President of Reservoir Engineering, is the technical person primarily responsible for overseeing the preparation of our reserves estimates. He has over 38 years of practical experience with approximately 34 years of this experience being in the estimation and evaluation of reserves. He has been a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Oklahoma since 1982. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and is a life member in good standing of the Society of Petroleum Engineers. Mr. Minton reports directly to our President and Chief Operating Officer. Reserve estimates are reviewed and approved by senior engineering staff with final approval by our President and Chief Operating Officer and certain other members of our senior management. Our senior management also reviews our independent engineers' reserve estimates and related reports with senior reservoir engineering staff and other members of our technical staff.

Proved undeveloped reserves

        Our proved undeveloped reserves increased from 27,080 MBOE at December 31, 2009 to 91,727 MBOE at December 31, 2010, primarily as a result of adding new proved undeveloped reserves totaling 70,830 MBOE. 63,444 MBOE of these additional proved undeveloped reserves are attributable to 957 vertical locations in our Permian Basin play. These reserves were booked as 40 acre offset locations to producing vertical wells. We drilled 264 productive vertical wells during 2010 in our Permian acreage, adding to the 114 producing vertical wells drilled in prior years. Both the drilling of the vertical wells and the addition of the undeveloped locations were due to significant change in economics resulting from the increase in oil prices in 2010. No proved undeveloped locations were converted to proved developed in this area, as the wells drilled in 2010 were not economic at year-end 2009 (based on commodity prices). 7,002 MBOE of the 70,830 MBOE of additional proved undeveloped reserves are attributable to 53 vertical 40 acre offset locations to producing wells in our Anadarko Granite Wash play. These previously identified locations became economic in 2010 due to the increase in oil and gas prices. We drilled 26 productive vertical wells during 2010 in our Granite Wash acreage, adding to the 122 producing vertical wells drilled in prior years. During the year, 3,229 MBOE of proved undeveloped reserves in the Granite Wash play were converted to proved developed reserves as a result of the drilling of 20 PUD locations, at a total net cost of $42 million. Proved undeveloped locations,

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with reserves of 2,863 MBOE, were removed due to increased capital costs and lower expected reserves in certain areas. Changes in our other areas of operations resulted in additions of 384 MBOE in proved undeveloped reserves, and negative revisions of 91 MBOE, primarily from the removal of one location.

        Our proved undeveloped reserves decreased from 91,727 MBOE at December 31, 2010 to 83,344 MBOE at June 30, 2011 primarily due to converting proved undeveloped reserves to proved developed reserves. During the first six months of 2011, 6,358 MBOE of proved undeveloped reserves were converted to proved developed reserves as a result of drilling 78 locations at a total net cost of $124 million. Estimated total future development and abandonment costs related to the development of proved undeveloped reserves as shown in our June 30, 2011 reserve report are $1.53 billion.

        Our development plan for proved undeveloped reserves in the December 31, 2010 reserve report prepared by Ryder Scott assumed that approximately 20% of our total proved undeveloped reserves would be developed in each of the next five years. Our development plan for our proved undeveloped reserves in the June 30, 2011 reserve report prepared by Ryder Scott assumed that the amount of capital available for proved undeveloped reserves for calendar year 2011 would be approximately $200 million. During the first half of 2011, we actually spent approximately $124 million drilling proved undeveloped reserves, and the drilling schedule in effect on June 30, 2011 anticipated approximately $69 million being spent on drilling proved undeveloped reserves during the remainder of the year, for a full year of capital allocated to proved undeveloped reserves of approximately $193 million. It was also assumed that the level of capital allocated to development of proved undeveloped reserves in 2012 would be about the same or slightly less than that allocated for 2011.

        Our development plan in 2012 for our proved undeveloped reserves is now budgeted at approximately $167 million. We have increased our budgets for proved undeveloped reserves for 2013, 2014 and 2015 to $261.3 million, $412.0 million and $529.7 million, respectively, to capture the balance of drilling the proved undeveloped reserves within a five-year timeframe. The principal reasons for our adjustment to our drilling budgets for our proved undeveloped locations are as follows: All of the proved undeveloped locations we acquired from Broad Oak were attributed to vertical locations in the Sprayberry, Dean and Upper Wolfcamp formations that directly offset vertical producing wells from these intervals. We believe these locations also have additional non-proved upside from the lower Wolfcamp through Atoka intervals which would be lost if the vertical proved undeveloped locations were just drilled to the Sprayberry, Dean and Upper Wolfcamp intervals. Additionally, we believe that horizontal wells in the Wolfcamp and Cline Shale intervals offer an alternative development plan that might provide better economics. From a relative perspective, in comparing proved undeveloped reserves at December 31, 2010 to June 30, 2011, the proved undeveloped capital amounts were lowered in calendar year 2012 and 2013 to allow us to utilize some of the capital allocated to proved undeveloped reserves to drill and test the deeper portions of the Wolfcamp through Atoka intervals and also to test the horizontal concept, which caused us to alter the relative stages of planned proved undeveloped reserves development over the five year period.

Production, revenues and price history

        The following table sets forth information regarding production, revenues and realized prices and production costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 and for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008. Our reserves and production are reported in two streams: crude oil and liquids-rich natural gas. The economic value of the natural gas liquids in our liquids-rich natural gas is included in the wellhead natural gas price. For additional information on price calculations, see

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information set forth in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."

 
  For the nine months
ended September 30,
  For the years ended December 31,  
 
  2011   2010   2010   2009   2008  

Production data:

                               
 

Oil (MBbls)

    2,419     1,038     1,648     513     192  
 

Natural gas (MMcf)

    22,904     15,041     21,381     18,302     8,124  
 

Oil equivalents (MBOE)(1)

    6,236     3,545     5,212     3,563     1,546  
 

Average daily production (BOE/D)

    22,842     12,982     14,278     9,762     4,226  

Revenues (in thousands):

                               
 

Oil

  $ 221,031   $ 76,830   $ 126,891   $ 29,946   $ 16,544  
 

Natural gas

  $ 147,028   $ 78,592   $ 112,892   $ 64,401   $ 57,339  

Average sales prices without hedges:

                               
 

Benchmark oil ($/Bbl)(2)

  $ 95.47   $ 77.69   $ 79.53   $ 61.79   $ 99.80  
 

Realized oil ($/Bbl)(3)

  $ 91.37   $ 74.02   $ 77.00   $ 58.37   $ 86.17  
 

Benchmark natural gas ($/MMBtu)(2)

  $ 4.34   $ 4.63   $ 4.39   $ 3.98   $ 9.03  
 

Realized natural gas ($/Mcf)(3)

  $ 6.42   $ 5.23   $ 5.28   $ 3.52   $ 7.06  
 

Average price ($/BOE)

  $ 59.02   $ 43.84   $ 46.01   $ 26.48   $ 47.79  

Average sales prices with hedges(4):

                               
 

Oil ($/Bbl)

  $ 88.79   $ 74.93   $ 77.26   $ 65.42   $ 91.93  
 

Natural gas ($/Mcf)

  $ 6.75   $ 6.20   $ 6.32   $ 6.17   $ 7.83  
 

Average price ($/BOE)

  $ 59.21   $ 48.25   $ 50.37   $ 41.10   $ 52.58  

Average cost per BOE:

                               
 

Lease operating expenses

  $ 4.69   $ 4.21   $ 4.16   $ 3.52   $ 4.16  
 

Production and ad valorem taxes

  $ 3.74   $ 2.85   $ 3.01   $ 1.72   $ 3.55  
 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

  $ 18.44   $ 17.03   $ 18.69   $ 16.28   $ 21.41  
 

General and administrative

  $ 6.13   $ 6.40   $ 5.93   $ 6.31   $ 15.04  

(1)
MBbl equivalents ("MBOE") are calculated using a conversion rate of six MMcf per one MBbl.

(2)
Benchmark oil prices are the simple average of the daily settlement price for NYMEX West Texas Intermediate Light Sweet Crude Oil each month for the period indicated. Benchmark natural gas prices are the simple arithmetic average of the last day settlement price for NYMEX natural gas each month for the period indicated.

(3)
Realized crude oil and natural gas prices are the actual prices realized at the wellhead after all adjustments for natural gas liquids content, quality, transportation fees, geographical differentials, marketing bonuses or deductions and other factors affecting the price at the wellhead.

(4)
Hedged prices reflect the after effect of our commodity hedging transactions on our average sales prices. Our calculation of such after effects include realized gains and losses on cash settlements for commodity derivatives, which do not qualify for hedge accounting.

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Productive wells

        The following table sets forth certain information regarding productive wells in each of our core areas at September 30, 2011. We also own royalty and overriding royalty interests in a small number of wells in which we do not own a working interest.

 
  Total producing wells    
 
 
  Gross    
   
 
 
   
  Average
working
interest
 
 
  Vertical   Horizontal   Total(1)   Net  

Permian

    542     19     561     543     97 %

Anadarko Granite Wash

    155     9     164     122     74 %

Other(2)

    344     9     353     179     51 %
                         
 

Total

    1,041     37     1,078     844     78 %
                         

(1)
906 of the 1,078 total gross producing wells are Laredo operated.

(2)
Includes Eastern Anadarko, Central Texas Panhandle and Dalhart Basin.

Acreage

        The following table sets forth certain information regarding the developed and undeveloped acreage in which we own an interest as of September 30, 2011 for each of our core operating areas, including acreage held by production ("HBP"). A majority of our developed acreage is subject to liens securing our senior secured credit facility.

 
  Developed acres   Undeveloped acres   Total acres    
 
 
  Gross   Net   Gross   Net   Gross   Net   % HBP  

Permian

    75,066     68,339     90,698     58,702     165,764     127,041     54 %

Anadarko Granite Wash

    28,944     20,592     27,462     17,148     56,406     37,740     55 %

Other(1)

    91,285     60,983     144,730     98,371     236,015     159,354     38 %
                                 
 

Total

    195,295     149,914     262,890     174,221     458,185     324,135     46 %
                                 

(1)
Includes Eastern Anadarko, Central Texas Panhandle and Dalhart Basin.

Undeveloped acreage expirations

        The following table sets forth the gross and net undeveloped acreage in our core operating areas as of September 30, 2011 that will expire over the next three years unless production is established within the spacing units covering the acreage or the lease is renewed or extended under continuous drilling provisions prior to the primary term expiration dates.

 
  Remaining 2011   2012   2013   2014  
 
  Gross   Net   Gross   Net   Gross   Net   Gross   Net  

Permian

    306     665     9,694     4,081     56,362     38,796     10,730     8,803  

Anadarko Granite Wash

    2,400     1,532     10,404     6,657     6,046     3,620     4,457     1,604  

Other(1)

    18,871     11,955     76,633     46,825     23,782     15,797     25,444     23,794  
                                   
 

Total

    21,577     14,152     96,731     57,563     86,190     58,213     40,631     34,201  
                                   

(1)
Includes Eastern Anadarko, Central Texas Panhandle and Dalhart Basin.

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Drilling activity

        The following table summarizes our drilling activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008. Gross wells reflect the sum of all wells in which we own an interest. Net wells reflect the sum of our working interests in gross wells.

 
  Nine months
ended
September 30,
2011
  Years ended December 31,  
 
  2010   2009   2008  
 
  Gross   Net   Gross   Net   Gross   Net   Gross   Net  

Development wells:

                                                 
 

Productive

    156     143.8     294     276.6     127     114.7     120     95.5  
 

Dry

    0     0.0     2     2.0     2     2.0     5     4.8  
                                   
   

Total development wells

    156     143.8     296     278.6     129     116.7     125     100.3  
                                   

Exploratory wells:

                                                 
 

Productive

    2     1.4     11     9.3     17     13.7     6     4.6  
 

Dry

    0     0.0     1     1.0     2     1.3     1     0.0  
                                   
   

Total exploratory wells

    2     1.4     12     10.3     19     15.0     7     4.6  
                                   

Corporate History and Structure

        Laredo Inc. was founded in October 2006 by Randy A. Foutch, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, who was later joined by other members of our management team to acquire, develop and operate oil and gas properties in the Permian and Mid-Continent regions of the United States. In 2007, Warburg Pincus, our institutional investor, and Laredo Inc.'s management formed Laredo LLC as a holding company and entered into a limited liability company agreement, which provided for Laredo LLC's initial funding with an equity commitment of $300 million from Warburg Pincus, certain members of our management team and our independent directors. The stockholders of Laredo Inc. contributed their common stock in Laredo Inc. to Laredo LLC in return for equity units in Laredo LLC, and Laredo Inc. became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Laredo LLC.

        In October 2008, Laredo LLC's limited liability company agreement was amended and a new series of equity units was created to provide for an additional $300 million equity program. To date, Warburg Pincus, certain members of our management and our independent directors have invested a total of $710 million of equity in Laredo.

        LPH, a recently formed Delaware corporation, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Laredo LLC. LPH currently has no material assets or liabilities, and is currently not a guarantor of the notes or a guarantor of the senior secured credit facility. LPH has recently filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the SEC in connection with a proposed initial public offering of its common stock. The registration statement for the initial public offering is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the new notes and is not incorporated by reference herein, and investors should not rely on the disclosure therein in connection with their participation in the exchange offer. The registration statement is subject to review and comment by the SEC and has not yet become effective and the disclosure related to us and our business may change as a result of such review and comments. Pursuant to the terms of a corporate reorganization that is currently proposed to occur concurrently with, or immediately prior to, the closing of the initial public offering of LPH's common stock, Laredo LLC will merge into LPH, with LPH being the surviving entity. LPH will issue common stock to the current owners of Laredo LLC in the corporate reorganization and to the public in the initial public offering. The issuer of the notes and the borrower under our senior secured credit facility will continue to be Laredo Inc. and LPH will become a guarantor of the notes and the senior secured credit facility immediately prior to the corporate reorganization. If the proposed initial public offering is

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consummated, ownership in LPH is expected to be approximately 80.5% by Warburg Pincus, 5.5% by our board of directors, management and employees and approximately 14.0% by the public stockholders assuming the midpoint of the offering price range set forth in the preliminary prospectus dated November 28, 2011 filed by LPH for the proposed initial public offering. There can be no assurance that the initial public offering of LPH's common stock will be consummated or the corporate reorganization will be effected as proposed. This description does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy common stock of LPH. Common stock of LPH may not be sold nor may offers be accepted prior to the time the registration statement on Form S-1 becomes effective. Please see "Potential Corporate Reorganization" for a description of these transactions.

        Laredo Inc. has three wholly-owned subsidiaries: Laredo Petroleum Texas, LLC, a Texas limited liability company formed in March 2007; Laredo Gas Services, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company formed in November 2007; and Laredo Petroleum—Dallas, Inc., a Delaware corporation formed in May 2006, formerly known as Broad Oak Energy, Inc.

        Laredo Inc. is the borrower under our senior secured credit facility as well as the issuer of our notes. Currently, Laredo LLC and all of its subsidiaries (other than Laredo Inc. and LPH) are guarantors of the obligations under our senior secured credit facility and the notes. Immediately prior to the proposed corporate reorganization as described in this prospectus and the related initial public offering of LPH's common stock, if they occur, LPH will become a guarantor of the notes and the senior secured credit facility.

        The following diagram indicates our current ownership structure.

GRAPHIC


(1)
Including former Broad Oak management, directors and employees.

(2)
If the potential corporate reorganization described herein is consummated, Laredo LLC will merge into LPH, with LPH being the surviving entity, and LPH will own 100% of Laredo Inc. See "Potential Corporate Reorganization."

Marketing and Major Customers

        We market the majority of production from properties we operate for both our account and the account of the other working interest owners in our operated properties. We sell substantially all of our production to a variety of purchasers under contracts ranging from one month to several years, all at market prices. We normally sell production to a relatively small number of customers, as is customary

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in the exploration, development and production business. However, based on the current demand for oil and natural gas and the availability of alternate purchasers, we believe that the loss of any one of our major purchasers would not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. For information regarding our customers that accounted for 10% or more of our oil and natural gas revenues during the first nine months of 2011 and the last three calendar years, see Note I in our unaudited consolidated financial statements and Note J in our audited combined financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. See "Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—The inability of our significant customers to meet their obligations to us may materially adversely affect our financial results." See also "Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions."

Title to Properties

        We believe that we have satisfactory title to all of our producing properties in accordance with generally accepted industry standards. As is customary in the industry, in the case of undeveloped properties, often cursory investigation of record title is made at the time of lease acquisition. Investigations are made before the consummation of an acquisition of producing properties and before commencement of drilling operations on undeveloped properties. Individual properties may be subject to burdens that we believe do not materially interfere with the use or affect the value of the properties. Burdens on properties may include customary royalty interests, liens incident to operating agreements and for current taxes, obligations or duties under applicable laws, development obligations under natural gas leases, or net profits interests.

Oil and Natural Gas Leases

        The typical oil and natural gas lease agreement covering our properties provides for the payment of royalties to the mineral owner for all oil and natural gas produced from any wells drilled on the leased premises. The lessor royalties and other leasehold burdens on our properties generally range from 12.5% to 25%, resulting in a net revenue interest to us generally ranging from 87.5% to 75%. 46% of our leasehold acreage is held by production.

Seasonality

        Demand for oil and natural gas generally decreases during the spring and fall months and increases during the summer and winter months. However, seasonal anomalies such as mild winters or mild summers sometimes lessen this fluctuation. In addition, certain natural gas users utilize natural gas storage facilities and purchase some of their anticipated winter requirements during the summer. This can also lessen seasonal demand fluctuations. These seasonal anomalies can increase competition for equipment, supplies and personnel during the spring and summer months, which could lead to shortages and increase costs or delay our operations.

Competition

        The oil and natural gas industry is intensely competitive, and we compete with other companies in our industry that have greater resources than we do, especially in our focus areas. Many of these companies not only explore for and produce oil and natural gas, but also carry on refining operations and market petroleum and other products on a regional, national or worldwide basis. These companies may be able to pay more for productive natural gas properties and exploratory locations or define, evaluate, bid for and purchase a greater number of properties and locations than our financial or human resources permit and may be able to expend greater resources to attract and maintain industry personnel. In addition, these companies may have a greater ability to continue exploration activities during periods of low natural gas market prices. Our larger competitors may be able to absorb the burden of existing, and any changes to, federal, state and local laws and regulations more easily than we can, which would adversely affect our competitive position. Our ability to acquire additional properties and to discover reserves in the future will be dependent upon our ability to evaluate and

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select suitable properties and to consummate transactions in a highly competitive environment. In addition, because we have fewer financial and human resources than many companies in our industry, we may be at a disadvantage in bidding for exploratory locations and producing natural gas properties.

Hydraulic Fracturing

        We use hydraulic fracturing as a means to maximize the productivity of almost every well that we drill and complete. Hydraulic fracturing is a necessary part of the completion process for our producing properties in Texas and Oklahoma because our properties are dependent upon our ability to effectively fracture the producing formations in order to produce at economic rates. We are currently conducting hydraulic fracturing activity in the completion of both our vertical and horizontal wells in the Permian Basin and the Anadarko Granite Wash. While hydraulic fracturing is not required to maintain 46% of our leasehold acreage that is currently held by production from existing wells, it will be required in the future to develop the proved non-producing and proved undeveloped reserves associated with this acreage. Nearly all of our proved non-producing and proved undeveloped reserves associated with future drilling, recompletion, and refracture stimulation projects, or approximately 61% of our total estimated proved reserves as of June 30, 2011, require hydraulic fracturing.

        We have and continue to follow applicable industry standard practices and legal requirements for groundwater protection in our operations which are subject to supervision by state and federal regulators (including the Bureau of Land Management on federal acreage). These protective measures include setting surface casing at a depth sufficient to protect fresh water zones as determined by regulatory agencies, and cementing the well to create a permanent isolating barrier between the casing pipe and surrounding geological formations. This aspect of well design essentially eliminates a pathway for the fracturing fluid to contact any aquifers during the hydraulic fracturing operations. For recompletions of existing wells, the production casing is pressure tested prior to perforating the new completion interval.

        Injection rates and pressures are monitored instantaneously and in real time at the surface during our hydraulic fracturing operations. Pressure is monitored on both the injection string and the immediate annulus to the injection string. Hydraulic fracturing operations would be shut down immediately if an abrupt change occurred to the injection pressure or annular pressure.

        Certain state regulations require disclosure of the components in the solutions used in hydraulic fracturing operations. Approximately 99% of the hydraulic fracturing fluids we use are made up of water and sand. The remainder of the constituents in the fracturing fluid are managed and used in accordance with applicable requirements.

        Hydraulic fracture stimulation requires the use of a significant volume of water. Upon flowback of the water, we dispose of it in a way that minimizes the impact to nearby surface water by disposing into approved disposal or injection wells. We currently do not discharge water to the surface.

        For information regarding existing and proposed governmental regulations regarding hydraulic fracturing and related environmental matters, please read "Business—Regulation of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety Matters—Water and other waste discharges and spills." For related risks to our stockholders, please read "Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—Federal and state legislation and regulatory initiatives relating to hydraulic fracturing could prohibit projects or result in increased costs and additional operating restrictions or delays because of the significance of hydraulic fracturing in our business."

Regulation of the Oil and Natural Gas Industry

        Our operations are substantially affected by federal, state and local laws and regulations. In particular, natural gas production and related operations are, or have been, subject to price controls, taxes and numerous other laws and regulations. All of the jurisdictions in which we own or operate

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producing oil and natural gas properties have statutory provisions regulating the exploration for and production of oil and natural gas, including provisions related to permits for the drilling of wells, bonding requirements to drill or operate wells, the location of wells, the method of drilling and casing wells, the surface use and restoration of properties upon which wells are drilled, sourcing and disposal of water used in the drilling and completion process, and the abandonment of wells. Our operations are also subject to various conservation laws and regulations. These include the regulation of the size of drilling and spacing units or proration units, the number of wells which may be drilled in an area, and the unitization or pooling of crude natural gas wells, as well as regulations that generally prohibit the venting or flaring of natural gas, and impose certain requirements regarding the ratability or fair apportionment of production from fields and individual wells.

        Failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations can result in substantial penalties. The regulatory burden on the industry increases the cost of doing business and affects profitability. Although we believe we are in substantial compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, such laws and regulations are frequently amended or reinterpreted. Therefore, we are unable to predict the future costs or impact of compliance. Additional proposals and proceedings that affect the natural gas industry are regularly considered by Congress, the states, FERC, and the courts. We cannot predict when or whether any such proposals may become effective.

        We believe we are in substantial compliance with currently applicable laws and regulations and that continued substantial compliance with existing requirements will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, cash flows or results of operations. However, current regulatory requirements may change, currently unforeseen environmental incidents may occur or past non-compliance with environmental laws or regulations may be discovered.

Regulation of production of oil and natural gas

        The production of oil and natural gas is subject to regulation under a wide range of local, state and federal statutes, rules, orders and regulations. Federal, state and local statutes and regulations require permits for drilling operations, drilling bonds and reports concerning operations. All of the states in which we own and operate properties have regulations governing conservation matters, including provisions for the unitization or pooling of oil and natural gas properties, the establishment of maximum allowable rates of production from oil and natural gas wells, the regulation of well spacing, and plugging and abandonment of wells. The effect of these regulations is to limit the amount of oil and natural gas that we can produce from our wells and to limit the number of wells or the locations at which we can drill, although we can apply for exceptions to such regulations or to have reductions in well spacing. Moreover, each state generally imposes a production or severance tax with respect to the production and sale of oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids within its jurisdiction. We own interests in properties located onshore in different U.S. states. These states regulate drilling and operating activities by requiring, among other things, permits for the drilling of wells, maintaining bonding requirements in order to drill or operate wells, and regulating the location of wells, the method of drilling and casing wells, the surface use and restoration of properties upon which wells are drilled and the plugging and abandonment of wells. The laws of these states also govern a number of environmental and conservation matters, including the handling and disposing or discharge of waste materials, the size of drilling and spacing units or proration units and the density of wells that may be drilled, unitization and pooling of oil and natural gas properties and establishment of maximum rates of production from oil and natural gas wells. Some states have the power to prorate production to the market demand for oil and natural gas. The failure to comply with these rules and regulations can result in substantial penalties. Our competitors in the oil and natural gas industry are subject to the same regulatory requirements and restrictions that affect our operations.

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Regulation of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety Matters

        Our operations are subject to numerous stringent federal, state and local statutes and regulations governing the discharge of materials into the environment or otherwise relating to protection of the environment or occupational health and safety. Numerous governmental agencies, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA"), issue regulations, which often require difficult and costly compliance measures that carry substantial administrative, civil and criminal penalties and may result in injunctive obligations for failure to comply. These laws and regulations may require the acquisition of a permit before drilling commences, restrict the types, quantities and concentrations of various substances that can be released into the environment in connection with drilling, production and transporting through pipelines, govern the sourcing and disposal of water used in the drilling, completion and production process, limit or prohibit drilling activities in certain areas and on certain lands lying within wilderness, wetlands, frontier and other protected areas, require some form of remedial action to prevent or mitigate pollution from current or former operations such as plugging abandoned wells or closing earthen pits, result in the suspension or revocation of necessary permits, licenses and authorizations, require that additional pollution controls be installed and impose substantial liabilities for pollution resulting from operations or failure to comply with regulatory filings. In addition, these laws and regulations may restrict the rate of production. The strict and joint and several liability nature of such laws and regulations could impose liability upon us regardless of fault. Public interest in the protection of the environment has increased dramatically in recent years. The trend of more expansive and stringent environmental legislation and regulations applied to the crude oil and natural gas industry could continue, resulting in increased costs of doing business and consequently affecting profitability. Changes in environmental laws and regulations occur frequently, and to the extent laws are enacted or other governmental action is taken that restricts drilling or imposes more stringent and costly operating, waste handling, disposal and cleanup requirements, our business and prospects, as well as the oil and natural gas industry in general, could be materially adversely affected.

Hazardous substance and waste handling

        Our operations are subject to environmental laws and regulations relating to the management and release of hazardous substances, solid and hazardous wastes and petroleum hydrocarbons. These laws generally regulate the generation, storage, treatment, transportation and disposal of solid and hazardous waste and may impose strict and, in some cases, joint and several liability for the investigation and remediation of affected areas where hazardous substances may have been released or disposed. The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, as amended, referred to as CERCLA or the Superfund law, and comparable state laws, impose liability, without regard to fault or the legality of the original conduct, on certain classes of persons deemed "responsible parties." These persons include current owners or operators of the site where a release of hazardous substances occurred, prior owners or operators that owned or operated the site at the time of the release or disposal of hazardous substances, and companies that disposed or arranged for the disposal of the hazardous substances found at the site. Under CERCLA, these persons may be subject to strict and joint and several liability for the costs of cleaning up the hazardous substances that have been released into the environment, for damages to natural resources and for the costs of certain health studies. CERCLA also authorizes the EPA and, in some instances, third parties to act in response to threats to the public health or the environment and to seek to recover the costs they incur from the responsible classes of persons. It is not uncommon for neighboring landowners and other third parties to file claims for personal injury and property damage allegedly caused by hazardous substances or other pollutants released into the environment. Despite the "petroleum exclusion" of Section 101(14) of CERCLA, which currently encompasses natural gas, we may nonetheless handle hazardous substances within the meaning of CERCLA, or similar state statutes, in the course of our ordinary operations and, as a result, may be jointly and severally liable under CERCLA for all or part of the costs required to clean up sites at which these hazardous substances have been released into the

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environment. In addition, we may have liability for releases of hazardous substances at our properties by prior owners or operators or other third parties.

        The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (the "OPA") is the primary federal law imposing oil spill liability. The OPA contains numerous requirements relating to the prevention of and response to petroleum releases into waters of the United States, including the requirement that operators of offshore facilities and certain onshore facilities near or crossing waterways must maintain certain significant levels of financial assurance to cover potential environmental cleanup and restoration costs. Under the OPA, strict, joint and several liability may be imposed on "responsible parties" for all containment and cleanup costs and certain other damages arising from a release, including, but not limited to, the costs of responding to a release of oil to surface waters and natural resource damages, resulting from oil spills into or upon navigable waters, adjoining shorelines or in the exclusive economic zone of the United States. A "responsible party" includes the owner or operator of an onshore facility. The OPA establishes a liability limit for onshore facilities of $350 million. These liability limits may not apply if: a spill is caused by a party's gross negligence or willful misconduct; the spill resulted from violation of a federal safety, construction or operating regulation; or a party fails to report a spill or to cooperate fully in a clean-up. We are also subject to analogous state statutes that impose liabilities with respect to oil spills.

        We also generate solid wastes, including hazardous wastes, which are subject to the requirements of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act ("RCRA"), as amended, and comparable state statutes. Although RCRA regulates both solid and hazardous wastes, it imposes strict requirements on the generation, storage, treatment, transportation and disposal of hazardous wastes. Certain petroleum production wastes are excluded from RCRA's hazardous waste regulations. It is possible, however, that these wastes, which could include wastes currently generated during our operations, will be designated as "hazardous wastes" in the future and, therefore, be subject to more rigorous and costly disposal requirements. Indeed, legislation has been proposed from time to time in Congress to re-categorize certain oil and gas exploration and production wastes as "hazardous wastes." Any such changes in the laws and regulations could have a material adverse effect on our maintenance capital expenditures and operating expenses.

        We believe that we are in substantial compliance with the requirements of CERCLA, RCRA, OPA and related state and local laws and regulations, and that we hold all necessary and up-to-date permits, registrations and other authorizations required under such laws and regulations. Although we believe that the current costs of managing our wastes as they are presently classified are reflected in our budget, any legislative or regulatory reclassification of oil and natural gas exploration and production wastes could increase our costs to manage and dispose of such wastes.

Water and other waste discharges and spills

        The Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended, also known as the Clean Water Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, the OPA and comparable state laws impose restrictions and strict controls regarding the discharge of pollutants, including produced waters and other natural gas wastes, into federal and state waters. The discharge of pollutants into regulated waters is prohibited, except in accordance with the terms of a permit issued by the EPA or the state. The discharge of dredge and fill material in regulated waters, including wetlands, is also prohibited, unless authorized by a permit issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The EPA has also adopted regulations requiring certain oil and natural gas exploration and production facilities to obtain individual permits or coverage under general permits for storm water discharges. Costs may be associated with the treatment of wastewater or developing and implementing storm water pollution prevention plans, as well as for monitoring and sampling the storm water runoff from certain of our facilities. Some states also maintain groundwater protection programs that require permits for discharges or operations that may impact groundwater conditions. The underground injection of fluids is subject to permitting and other requirements under

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state laws and regulation. Obtaining permits has the potential to delay the development of oil and natural gas projects. These same regulatory programs also limit the total volume of water that can be discharged, hence limiting the rate of development, and require us to incur compliance costs. These laws and any implementing regulations provide for administrative, civil and criminal penalties for any unauthorized discharges of oil and other substances in reportable quantities and may impose substantial potential liability for the costs of removal, remediation and damages. Pursuant to these laws and regulations, we may be required to obtain and maintain approvals or permits for the discharge of wastewater or storm water and the underground injection of fluids and are required to develop and implement spill prevention, control and countermeasure plans, also referred to as "SPCC plans," in connection with on-site storage of significant quantities of oil. We maintain all required discharge permits necessary to conduct our operations, and we believe we are in substantial compliance with their terms.

        Hydraulic fracturing is a practice that is used to stimulate production of hydrocarbons, particularly natural gas, from tight formations. The process involves the injection of water, sand and chemicals under pressure into the formation to fracture the surrounding rock and stimulate production. The process is typically regulated by state oil and gas commissions. The EPA, however, recently asserted federal regulatory authority over hydraulic fracturing involving diesel additives under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act's ("SDWA") Underground Injection Control ("UIC") Program by posting a new requirement on its website that requires facilities to obtain permits to use diesel fuel in hydraulic fracturing operations. The U.S. Energy Policy Act of 2005, which exempts hydraulic fracturing from regulation under the SDWA, prohibits the use of diesel fuel in the fracturing process without a UIC permit. Although the EPA has yet to take any action to enforce or implement this newly-asserted regulatory authority, industry groups have filed suit challenging the EPA's recent decisions as a "final agency action" and, thus, in violation of the notice-and-comment rulemaking procedures of the Administrative Procedures Act. At the same time, the EPA has commenced a study of the potential environmental impacts of hydraulic fracturing activities, with results of the study anticipated to be available by late 2012, and a committee of the House of Representatives also is conducting an investigation of hydraulic fracturing practices. On November 3, 2011, the EPA released its Plan to Study the Potential Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing on Drinking Water Resources. The study will include both analysis of existing data and investigative activities designed to generate future data. The EPA intends to release a first report on the results of this study in 2012 and an additional report in 2014 synthesizing the longer-term research projects. Furthermore, on August 23, 2011, the EPA published a proposed rule in the Federal Register to establish new emissions standards to reduce volatile organic compounds ("VOC") emissions from several types of processes and equipment used in the oil and gas industry, including a 95% reduction in VOCs emitted during the construction or modification of hydraulically-fractured wells. In addition, legislation is pending in Congress to repeal the hydraulic fracturing exemption from the SDWA, provide for federal regulation of hydraulic fracturing, and require public disclosure of the chemicals used in the fracturing process, and such legislation could be introduced in the current session of Congress. Finally, on October 20, 2011, the EPA announced its plan to propose federal pre-treatment standards for wastewater generated during the hydraulic fracturing process. Hydraulic fracturing stimulation requires the use of a significant volume of water with some resulting "flowback," as well as "produced water." The EPA asserts that this water may contain radioactive materials and other pollutants and, therefore, may deteriorate drinking water quality if not properly treated before discharge. The Clean Water Act prohibits the discharge of wastewater into federal or state waters. Thus, "flowback" and "produced water" must either be injected into permitted disposal wells or transported to public or private treatment facilities for treatment. The EPA asserts that due to some contaminants in hydraulic fracturing wastewater, most treatment facilities are unable to properly treat the wastewater before introducing it into public waters. If adopted, the new pre-treatment rules will require shale gas operations to pre-treat wastewater before transferring it to treatment facilities.

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        Further, certain members of the Congress have called upon: (i) the U.S. Government Accountability Office to investigate how hydraulic fracturing might adversely affect water resources; (ii) the SEC to investigate the natural gas industry and any possible misleading of investors or the public regarding the economic feasibility of pursuing natural gas deposits in shales by means of hydraulic fracturing; and (iii) the U.S. Energy Information Administration to provide a better understanding of that agency's estimates regarding natural gas reserves, including reserves from shale formations, as well as uncertainties associated with those estimates. Finally, the Shale Gas Subcommittee of the Secretary of Energy Advisory Board released a report on August 11, 2011, proposing recommendations to reduce the potential environmental impacts from shale gas production. These ongoing or proposed studies, depending on their degree of pursuit and any meaningful results obtained, could spur initiatives to further regulate hydraulic fracturing under the SDWA or other regulatory mechanism.

        Some states have adopted, and other states are considering adopting, regulations that could restrict hydraulic fracturing in certain circumstances or otherwise require the public disclosure of chemicals used in the hydraulic fracturing process. For example, pursuant to legislation adopted by the State of Texas in June 2011, the Railroad Commission of Texas (the "RRC") published a proposed rule on September 9, 2011 requiring disclosure to the RRC and the public of certain information regarding the components used in the hydraulic fracturing process. In addition to state law, local land use restrictions, such as city ordinances, may restrict or prohibit the performance of well drilling in general and/or hydraulic fracturing in particular.

        If these or any other new laws or regulations that significantly restrict hydraulic fracturing are adopted, such laws could make it more difficult or costly for us to drill and produce from tight formations as well as make it easier for third parties opposing the hydraulic fracturing process to initiate legal proceedings. In addition, if hydraulic fracturing is regulated at the federal level, fracturing activities could become subject to additional permitting and financial assurance requirements, more stringent construction specifications, increased monitoring, reporting and recordkeeping obligations, plugging and abandonment requirements and also to attendant permitting delays and potential increases in costs. These developments, as well as new laws or regulations, could cause us to incur substantial compliance costs, and compliance or the consequences of failure to comply by us could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. At this time, it is not possible to estimate the potential impact on our business that may arise if federal or state legislation governing hydraulic fracturing is enacted into law.

Air emissions

        The federal Clean Air Act, as amended, and comparable state laws restrict the emission of air pollutants from many sources, including compressor stations, through the issuance of permits and the imposition of other requirements. In addition, the EPA has developed, and continues to develop, stringent regulations governing emissions of toxic air pollutants at specified sources. In particular, on August 23, 2011, pursuant to a court-ordered consent decree, the EPA published a proposed rule establishing new emissions standards to reduce VOC and sulfur dioxide emissions from several types of processes and equipment used in the oil and gas industry, including a 95 percent reduction in VOCs emitted during construction or modification of hydraulically-fractured wells. The consent decree requires the EPA to take final action by February 28, 2012, following a public comment period, which is presently underway. These proposed standards, should they be adopted, as well as any future laws and their implementing regulations, may require us to obtain pre-approval for the expansion or modification of existing facilities or the construction of new facilities expected to produce air emissions, impose stringent air permit requirements, or utilize specific equipment or technologies to control emissions. Our failure to comply with these requirements could subject us to monetary penalties, injunctions, conditions or restrictions on operations and, potentially, criminal enforcement actions.

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        We may be required to incur certain capital expenditures in the next few years for air pollution control equipment in connection with maintaining or obtaining operating permits addressing other air emission related issues, which may have a material adverse effect on our operations. Obtaining permits also has the potential to delay the development of oil and natural gas projects. We believe that we currently are in substantial compliance with all air emissions regulations and that we hold all necessary and valid construction and operating permits for our current operations.

Regulation of "greenhouse gas" emissions

        Recent scientific studies have suggested that emissions of certain gases, commonly referred to as "greenhouse gases" ("GHGs") and including carbon dioxide and methane, may be contributing to warming of the earth's atmosphere and other climatic changes. In response to such studies, Congress has, from time to time, considered legislation to reduce emissions of GHGs. One bill approved by the House of Representatives in June 2009, known as the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 would have required an 80% reduction in emissions of GHGs from sources within the U.S. between 2012 and 2050, but it was not approved by the U.S. Senate in the 2009-2010 legislative session. Congress is likely to continue to consider similar bills. Moreover, almost half of the states have already taken legal measures to reduce emissions of GHGs through the planned development of GHG emission inventories and/or regional GHG cap and trade programs or other mechanisms. Most cap and trade programs work by requiring major sources of emissions, such as electric power plants, or major producers of fuels, such as refineries and gas processing plants, to acquire and surrender emission allowances corresponding with their annual emissions of GHGs. The number of allowances available for purchase is reduced each year until the overall GHG emission reduction goal is achieved. As the number of GHG emission allowances declines each year, the cost or value of allowances is expected to escalate significantly. Some states have enacted renewable portfolio standards, which require utilities to purchase a certain percentage of their energy from renewable fuel sources.

        In addition, in December 2009, the EPA determined that emissions of carbon dioxide, methane and other GHGs present an endangerment to human health and the environment, because emissions of such gases are, according to the EPA, contributing to warming of the earth's atmosphere and other climatic changes. These findings by the EPA allow the agency to proceed with the adoption and implementation of regulations that would restrict emissions of GHGs under existing provisions of the federal Clean Air Act. In response to its endangerment finding, the EPA recently adopted two sets of rules regarding possible future regulation of GHG emissions under the Clean Air Act, one of which purports to regulate emissions of GHGs from motor vehicles and the other of which would regulate emissions of GHGs from large stationary sources of emissions such as power plants or industrial facilities. The motor vehicle rule was finalized in April 2010 and became effective in January 2011 but it does not require immediate reductions in GHG emissions. The stationary source rule was adopted in May 2010 and also became effective January 2011 and is the subject of several pending lawsuits filed by industry groups. Additionally, in September 2009, the EPA issued a final rule requiring the reporting of GHG emissions from specified large GHG emission sources in the U.S., including natural gas liquids fractionators and local natural gas/distribution companies, beginning in 2011 for emissions occurring in 2010. The EPA also plans to implement GHG emissions standards for power plants in May 2012 and for refineries in November 2012.

        The adoption of legislation or regulatory programs to reduce GHG emissions could require us to incur increased operating costs, such as costs to purchase and operate emissions control systems, to acquire emissions allowances or comply with new regulatory requirements. Any GHG emissions legislation or regulatory programs applicable to power plants or refineries could also increase the cost of consuming, and thereby reduce demand for, the oil and natural gas we produce. Consequently, legislation and regulatory programs to reduce GHG emissions could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

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Occupational safety and health act

        We are also subject to the requirements of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act, as amended ("OSHA") and comparable state laws that regulate the protection of the health and safety of employees. In addition, OSHA's hazard communication standard requires that information be maintained about hazardous materials used or produced in our operations and that this information be provided to employees, state and local government authorities and citizens. We believe that our operations are in substantial compliance with the OSHA requirements.

National environmental policy act

        Oil and natural gas exploration and production activities on federal lands are subject to the National Environmental Policy Act ("NEPA"). NEPA requires federal agencies, including the Departments of Interior and Agriculture, to evaluate major agency actions having the potential to significantly impact the environment. In the course of such evaluations, an agency prepares an environmental assessment to evaluate the potential direct, indirect and cumulative impacts of a proposed project. If impacts are considered significant, the agency will prepare a more detailed environmental impact study that is made available for public review and comment. All of our current exploration and production activities, as well as proposed exploration and development plans, on federal lands require governmental permits that are subject to the requirements of NEPA. This environmental impact assessment process has the potential to delay the development of oil and natural gas projects. Authorizations under NEPA also are subject to protest, appeal or litigation, which can delay or halt projects.

Endangered species act

        The Endangered Species Act ("ESA") was established to protect endangered and threatened species. Pursuant to the ESA, if a species is listed as threatened or endangered, restrictions may be imposed on activities adversely affecting that species' habitat. Similar protections are offered to migratory birds under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. We conduct operations on federal oil and natural gas leases in areas where certain species that are listed as threatened or endangered and where other species, such as the sage grouse, potentially could be listed as threatened or endangered under the ESA exist. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service may designate critical habitat and suitable habitat areas that it believes are necessary for survival of a threatened or endangered species. A critical habitat or suitable habitat designation could result in further material restrictions to federal land use and may materially delay or prohibit land access for oil and natural gas development. If we were to have a portion of our leases designated as critical or suitable habitat, it could cause us to incur additional costs or become subject to operating restrictions or bans in the affected areas, which could adversely impact the value of our leases.

Summary

        In summary, we believe we are in substantial compliance with currently applicable environmental laws and regulations. Although we have not experienced any material adverse effect from compliance with environmental requirements, there is no assurance that this will continue. We did not have any material capital or other non-recurring expenditures in connection with complying with environmental laws or environmental remediation matters in 2010 and the first nine months of 2011, nor do we anticipate that such expenditures will be material in the remainder of 2011 and 2012.

Employees

        As of November 25, 2011, we had 183 full-time employees. We also employed a total of 27 contract personnel who assist our full-time employees with respect to specific tasks and perform various

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field and other services. Our future success will depend partially on our ability to attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel. We are not a party to any collective bargaining agreements and have not experienced any strikes or work stoppages. We consider our relations with our employees to be satisfactory.

Our Offices

        Our executive offices are located at 15 W. Sixth Street, Suite 1800, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119, and the phone number at this address is (918) 513-4570. Our website address is www.laredopetro.com. We expect to make our periodic reports and other information filed with or furnished to the SEC, available free of charge through our website as soon as reasonably practicable after those reports and other information are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. Information on our website or any other website is not incorporated by reference into, and does not constitute a part of, this prospectus.

Legal Proceedings

        From time to time, we are subject to various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business, including proceedings for which we have insurance coverage. As of the date hereof, we are not party to any material legal proceedings.

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MANAGEMENT

Executive Officers and Directors

        The following tables set forth information regarding the individuals who are currently serving as our executive officers and directors. The respective age of each individual in the tables is as of November 25, 2011. There are no family relationships among any of our directors or executive officers.

Executive Officers

        The following table sets forth the name, age and position of our current executive officers. Each of the individuals listed in the table below holds the title stated below at each of the registrants.

Name
  Age   Title

Randy A. Foutch

    60   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Jerry Schuyler

   
56
 

President and Chief Operating Officer

W. Mark Womble

   
60
 

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Patrick J. Curth

   
60
 

Senior Vice President—Exploration and Land

John E. Minton

   
63
 

Senior Vice President—Reservoir Engineering

Rodney S. Myers

   
58
 

Senior Vice President—Permian

Kenneth E. Dornblaser

   
56
 

Senior Vice President and General Counsel

Board of Directors of Laredo Inc.

        The board of directors of Laredo Inc. consists of a sole member. The following table sets forth the name, age and title of Laredo Inc.'s current director.

Name
  Age   Title

Randy A. Foutch

    60   Chief Executive Officer

Board of Managers of Laredo LLC and Board of Directors of LPH

        The board of managers of Laredo LLC and the board of directors of LPH, which we refer to as board of directors, consists of nine members. The following table sets forth the name, age and title of such individuals.

Name
  Age   Title

Randy A. Foutch

    60   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Jerry Schuyler

   
56
 

President and Chief Operating Officer

Peter R. Kagan

   
43
 

Director

James R. Levy

   
35
 

Director

B.Z. (Bill) Parker

   
64
 

Director

Pamela S. Pierce

   
56
 

Director

Ambassador Francis Rooney

   
57
 

Director

Edmund P. Segner, III

   
58
 

Director

Donald D. Wolf

   
68
 

Director

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Board of Directors of Laredo Petroleum—Dallas, Inc.

        The board of directors of Laredo Petroleum—Dallas, Inc. consists of a sole member. The following table sets for the name, age and title of Laredo Petroleum—Dallas, Inc.'s current director.

Name
  Age   Title

Randy A. Foutch

    60   Chief Executive Officer

Board of Managers of Laredo Gas Services, LLC

        The board of managers of Laredo Gas Services, LLC consists of three members. The following table sets forth the name, age and title of Laredo Gas Services LLC's current managers.

Name
  Age   Title

Randy A. Foutch

    60   Chief Executive Officer

Jerry Schuyler

   
56
 

President and Chief Operating Officer

W. Mark Womble

   
60
 

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Board of Managers of Laredo Petroleum Texas, LLC

        The board of managers of Laredo Petroleum Texas, LLC consists of a sole member. The following table sets forth the name, age and title of Laredo Petroleum Texas, LLC's current manager.

Name
  Age   Title

Randy A. Foutch

    60   Chief Executive Officer

Key Employees

        The following table lists information regarding other key employees as of November 25, 2011:

Name
  Age   Title

Dan Schooley

    55   Vice President—Marketing

Dave Boncaldo

   
47
 

Vice President—Operations

Jeffrey A. Tanner

   
48
 

Vice President—Exploration

Mark W. King

   
50
 

Vice President—Land

Mark H. Elliott

   
56
 

Vice President—Exploration and Land—Permian

Robert N. Skinner

   
49
 

Vice President of Operations and Engineering—Permian

Diane T. Wood

   
49
 

Controller

        Randy A. Foutch is our founder and has served as our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since that time. He also served as our President from October 2006 to July 2008. Mr. Foutch has over 30 years of experience in the oil and gas industry. Prior to our formation, Mr. Foutch founded Latigo Petroleum, Inc. ("Latigo") in 2001 and served as its President and Chief Executive Officer until it was sold to Pogo Producing Co. in May 2006. Previous to Latigo, Mr. Foutch founded Lariat Petroleum, Inc. ("Lariat") in 1996 and served as its President until January 2001 when it was sold to Newfield Exploration, Inc. He is currently serving on the board of directors of Helmerich & Payne, Inc. and is also a member of its audit, governance and nominating and corporate committees. Mr. Foutch is

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also a member of the National Petroleum Council, America's Natural Gas Alliance and the Advisory Council of the Energy Institute at the University of Texas, Austin. From 2006 to August 2011, he served on the board of directors of Bill Barrett Corporation and from 2006 to 2008, on the board of directors of MacroSolve, Inc. Mr. Foutch also serves on several nonprofit and private industry boards. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Geology from the University of Texas and a Master of Science in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Houston.

        Mr. Foutch has been successful in founding other oil and gas companies and serves in director positions of various oil and gas companies. As a result, he provides a strong operational and strategic background and has valuable business, leadership and management experience and insights into many aspects of the operations of exploration and productions companies. Mr. Foutch also brings financial expertise to the board, including his experience in obtaining financing for startup oil and gas companies. For these reasons, we believe Mr. Foutch is qualified to serve as a director.

        Jerry R. Schuyler joined Laredo in June 2007 as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. In July 2008, he was promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer and has served in that capacity since that time. He is also one of our directors. Prior to joining Laredo, he held various executive positions with Atlantic Richfield Company ("ARCO"), Dominion Exploration and Production, Inc. and St. Mary Land & Exploration. While at St. Mary Land & Exploration from December 2003 to June 2007, he established their Houston and Midland offices and managed all exploration and production activities in the Gulf of Mexico, Gulf Coast and Permian areas. While at Dominion Exploration and Production, Inc. from March 2000 to July 2002, he managed all exploration and production activities in the Gulf Coast, Michigan and Appalachian areas. During his years with ARCO from 1977 to 1999, he held several key positions, such as Prudhoe Bay Field Manager, Manager of Worldwide Exploration and Production Planning and President of ARCO Middle East and Central Asia. Mr. Schuyler serves on several industry and college related boards of directors. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering from Montana Tech University and attended numerous graduate business courses at University of Houston.

        Mr. Schuyler has significant experience managing oil and gas operations and serving in executive positions for various exploration and production companies and extensive knowledge of the energy industry. For these reasons, we believe Mr. Schuyler is qualified to serve as a director.

        W. Mark Womble has served as our Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President since July 2007. Prior to joining Laredo, he was the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Latigo and served in this capacity from 2002 until the company was sold in May 2006. He then retired until joining Laredo in July 2007. Mr. Womble has more than 30 years of experience in the oil and natural gas industry and, throughout his career, has served as financial analyst, consultant and in several executive positions with multiple companies. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and a Master of Business Administration degree in finance and accounting from West Texas State University in Canyon, Texas.

        Patrick J. Curth has served as our Senior Vice President—Exploration and Land since October 2006. He has been involved in exploration and development projects in the Mid-Continent area for over three decades. Prior to joining Laredo, Mr. Curth joined Latigo in 2000 as Exploration Manager and served as Vice President—Exploration when Latigo was sold in May 2006. From 1997 to 2001, he was the Vice President—Exploration at Lariat. Mr. Curth holds a Bachelor of Arts in Geology from Windham College, a Masters Degree in Geological Sciences from the University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee and a second Masters Degree in Environmental Sciences from Oklahoma State University.

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        John E. Minton joined Laredo in October 2007 as Vice President—Reservoir Engineering and became Senior Vice President—Reservoir Engineering in September 2009. Before joining Laredo, Mr. Minton served as Senior Vice President of Reservoir Engineering at Rockford II Energy Partners from July 2006 to October 2007. In 2003, he joined Latigo as a Senior Reservoir Engineer and later became Manager of Corporate Reservoir Engineering. He served in this position until the company was sold in May 2006. He joined Lariat in 2000 as a Senior Reservoir Engineer and stayed with its successor Newfield Exploration until early 2003 as a Senior Reservoir Engineer. Mr. Minton is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers and has been a Registered Professional Engineer in the state of Oklahoma since 1982. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering.

        Rodney S. Myers joined Laredo in November 2010 as Senior Vice President—Special Projects, and in September 2011 he assumed the newly created position of Senior Vice President—Permian. Immediately prior to joining Laredo, Mr. Myers came out of retirement in November 2009 to manage Sheridan Production Company's Mid-Continent District office in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Previously, from December 2002 until his retirement in May 2006, he served as the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Latigo. Prior to Latigo, Mr. Myers spent over 13 years with Apache Corporation where he was Vice President for the Mid-Continent Region and Vice President of Production for its Central Region. Mr. Myers earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Missouri at Rolla.

        Kenneth E. Dornblaser joined Laredo in June 2011 as Senior Vice President and General Counsel. Immediately prior to joining Laredo, Mr. Dornblaser was a shareholder in the Johnson & Jones law firm, which he co-founded in March 1994. Prior to co-founding Johnson & Jones, Mr. Dornblaser had been engaged in the private practice of law in Tulsa, Oklahoma, since 1980. Mr. Dornblaser graduated from Oklahoma State University with a B.S. degree in Accounting and the University of Oklahoma where he received his Juris Doctorate degree.

        Peter R. Kagan has served as one of our directors since July 2007. He has been with Warburg Pincus since 1997 where he leads the firm's investment activities in energy and natural resources. He is a Partner of Warburg Pincus & Co. and a Managing Director of Warburg Pincus LLC. He is also a member of Warburg Pincus' Executive Management Group. Mr. Kagan is currently on the board of directors of Antero Resources, China CBM Investment Holdings, Ltd., Fairfield Energy, MEG Energy, Canbriam Energy Inc., Targa Resources Inc. and Targa Resources Partners L.P. He previously served on the board of directors of Broad Oak, Lariat and Latigo. Mr. Kagan received a Bachelor of Arts degree cum laude from Harvard College and Juris Doctorate and Master of Business Administration degrees with honors from the University of Chicago.

        Mr. Kagan has significant experience with energy companies and investments and broad familiarity with the industry and related transactions and capital markets activity, which enhance his contributions to the board of directors. For these reasons, we believe Mr. Kagan is qualified to serve as a director.

        James R. Levy has served as one of our directors since May 2007. He joined Warburg Pincus in 2006 and focuses on investments in the energy industry. Prior to joining Warburg Pincus, he worked as an Associate at Kohlberg & Company, a middle market private equity investment firm, from 2002 to 2006, and as an Analyst and Associate at Wasserstein Perella & Co. from 1999 to 2002. Mr. Levy currently serves on the board of directors of EnStorage, Inc., a privately held energy storage system development company, and Suniva, Inc., a private company that manufactures solar cells for use in power generation, and Black Swan Energy Ltd, a privately held oil and gas exploration and production company. He is a former director of Broad Oak. Mr. Levy received a Bachelor of Arts in history from Yale University.

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        Mr. Levy has significant experience with investments in the energy industry and currently serves on the boards of various energy companies. For these reasons, we believe Mr. Levy is qualified to serve as a director.

        B. Z. (Bill) Parker has served as one of our directors since May 2007. Mr. Parker joined Phillips Petroleum Company in 1970 where he held various engineering positions in exploration and production in the United States and abroad. He later served in numerous executive positions at Phillips Petroleum Company and in 2000, he was named Executive Vice President for Worldwide Production & Operations. He retired from Phillips Petroleum Company in this position in November 2002. Mr. Parker served on the board of Williams Partners GP from August 2005 to September 2010 where he also served as chairman of the conflicts and audit committees. He served on the board of directors of Latigo from January 2003 to May 2006 where he also served as chairman of the audit committee. Mr. Parker is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in petroleum engineering from the University of Oklahoma.

        Mr. Parker has over 40 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, having served in various engineering and executive positions for an exploration and production company and as a director and audit committee member for various energy companies. For these reasons, we believe Mr. Parker is qualified to serve as a director.

        Pamela S. Pierce has served as one of our directors since May 2007. She has been a partner at Ztown Investments, Inc. since 2005, focused on investments in domestic oil and natural gas non-working interests. She also serves on the Michael Baker, Inc. board of directors and Scientific Drilling International, Inc. board of directors. From 2002 to 2004, she was the President of Huber Energy, an operating company of J.M. Huber Corporation. From 2000 to 2002, she was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Houston-based Mirant Americas Energy Capital and Production Company. She has also held a variety of managerial positions with ARCO Oil and Gas Company, ARCO Alaska and Vastar Resources. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Oklahoma and a Master of Business Administration in Corporate Finance from the University of Dallas.

        Ms. Pierce is a highly experienced business executive with extensive knowledge of the energy industry. Her business acumen enhances the board of directors' discussions on all issues affecting us and her leadership insights contribute significantly to the board of directors' decision making process. For these reasons, we believe Ms. Pierce is qualified to serve as a director.

        Ambassador Francis Rooney has served as one of our directors since February 2010. He has been the Chief Executive Officer of Rooney Holdings, Inc. since 1984, and of Manhattan Construction Group, Tulsa, since 2008, which is engaged in road and bridge construction, civil works and building construction and construction management in the United States, Mexico and the Central America/Caribbean region. From 2005 through 2008, he served as the United States Ambassador to the Holy See, appointed by President George W. Bush. Ambassador Rooney currently serves on the boards of directors of Helmerich & Payne, Inc. and VETRA Energy Group, Bogota, Colombia. He is a member of the Board of Advisors of the Panama Canal Authority, Republic of Panama, the Board of the Florida Gulf Coast University Foundation, the INCAE Presidential Advisory Council and the Board of Visitors of the University of Oklahoma International Programs. Ambassador Rooney graduated from Georgetown University with a Bachelor of Arts and from Georgetown University Law Center with a Juris Doctorate. He is a member of the District of Columbia and Texas Bar Associations.

        Ambassador Rooney has broad business and financial experience and has served as a director of public and private energy companies. For these reasons, we believe Ambassador Rooney is qualified to serve as a director.

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        Edmund P. Segner, III joined our board of directors in August 2011. Mr. Segner currently is a professor in the practice of engineering management in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Rice University in Houston, Texas, a position he has held since July 2006 and full time since July 2007. In 2008, Mr. Segner retired from EOG Resources, Inc. ("EOG"), a publicly traded independent oil and gas exploration and production company. Among the positions he held at EOG were President, Chief of Staff, and director from 1999 to 2007. From March 2003 through June 2007, he also served as the Principal Financial Officer of EOG. He has been a member of the board of directors of Bill Barrett Corporation, an oil and gas company primarily active in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States, since August 2009, and of Exterran Partners, L.P., a master limited partnership that provides natural gas contract operations services, since May 2009. From August 2009 until October 2011, Mr. Segner was a member of the board of directors of Seahawk Drilling, Inc., an offshore oil and natural gas drilling company. He also currently serves as a member of the board or as a trustee for several non-profit organizations. Mr. Segner graduated from Rice University with a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering and received an M.A. degree in economics from the University of Houston. He is a certified public accountant.

        Mr. Segner's service as President, Principal Financial Officer and director of publicly traded oil and gas exploration and development companies provides our board of directors with a strong operational, financial, accounting and strategic background and provides valuable business, leadership and management experience and insights into many aspects of the operations of exploration and production companies. Mr. Segner also brings financial and accounting expertise to the board of directors, including through his experience in financing transactions for oil and gas companies, his background as a certified public accountant, his service as a Principal Financial Officer, his supervision of principal financial officers and principal accounting officers, and his service on the audit committees of other companies. For these reasons, we believe Mr. Segner is qualified to serve as a director

        Donald D. Wolf has served as one of our directors since February 2010. Mr. Wolf currently serves as the Chairman of the general partner of QR Energy, LP., which is a master limited partnership operated by Quantum Resources Management. He was the Chief Executive Officer of Quantum Resources Management from 2006 to 2009. He served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Aspect Energy, LLC from 2004 to 2006. Prior to joining Aspect, Mr. Wolf served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Westport Resources Corporation from 1996 to 2004. He is currently a director of the general partner of MarkWest Energy Partners, L.P., Enduring Resources, LLC, Ute Energy, LLC, and Aspect Energy, LLC. Mr. Wolf graduated from Greenville College, Greenville, Illinois, with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

        Mr. Wolf has had a diversified career in the oil and natural gas industry and has served in executive positions for various exploration and production companies. His extensive experience in the energy industry brings substantial experience and leadership skill to the board of directors. For these reasons, we believe Mr. Wolf is qualified to serve as a director.

        Dan C. Schooley joined Laredo in June of 2007 and is our Vice President—Marketing. In December 2006, Mr. Schooley came out of retirement to serve as the Vice President of gas supply at Superior Pipeline, a position he held until June 2007. From October 2004 until his retirement in May 2006, he was a marketing manager at Latigo, where he was responsible for marketing and risk management. Mr. Schooley holds Bachelors and Masters degrees from Oklahoma State University.

        Dave M. Boncaldo joined Laredo in March 2010 as Production and Completions Manager and currently serves as Vice President—Operations. In January and February of 2010, Mr. Boncaldo worked as a contract engineer for Laredo. Between July 2009 and December 2009, Mr. Boncaldo was self-employed, evaluating oil and gas opportunities for himself and others. From July 1998 to June 2009, he served in various roles at Samson Resources including General Manager—East Texas Division, Operations Manager for the Mid-Continent Division and Team Manager for several different asset

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teams. Prior to Samson, he worked for Torch Energy Advisors as Operations Manager in Tulsa and the Black Warrior Basin along with various engineering positions in Houston. He began his career at BP Exploration (Tex/Con Oil & Gas Company) as an engineer with assignments in the Permian Basin and Louisiana Gulf Coast. He has over 25 years of experience in the oil and gas industry and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering from Marietta College.

        Jeffrey A. Tanner joined Laredo in October 2010 as Vice President—Exploration. From 2003 to September 2010, he was with Cabot Oil & Gas and worked various technical and managerial assignments, including Exploration Manager for two different regions tasked with expanding into unconventional shale plays. He has over 20 years of experience in the oil and natural gas industry. Mr. Tanner graduated from Texas A&M and the University of Houston with a Bachelors and Masters degree in Geology, respectively.

        Mark W. King joined Laredo in April 2008 as Land Manager and currently serves as Vice President—Land, a position he has held since May 2011. From September 2004 to March 2008, he was the Vice President of Land at Orion Exploration, LLC. Prior to joining Orion Exploration, from September 1984 to September 2004, he was founder and Chief Executive Officer of Frontier Land Corp./Frontier Energy Leasing Service Inc., a full service land company that provided support for numerous major and mid-major oil and gas companies. He attended Oklahoma State University and Central State University.

        Mark H. Elliott joined Laredo in May 2008 as Exploration Manager—Permian Basin and became Vice President—Midland in July, 2011 and Vice President—Exploration and Land—Permian, in September 2011. Before joining Laredo, Mr. Elliott served as Vice President of Geology & Exploration for Rex Energy Operating Company's Southwest Region from May 2007 to May 2008. From August 2006 to May 2007, he was a Senior Geologist at Cimarex Energy. In 2004, he joined Latigo in the Midland office as a Senior Geologist. He served in this position until the company was sold in 2006. Mr. Elliott has more than 30 years experience in the oil and gas industry, and, throughout his career, has served in both staff and management positions. Mr. Elliott graduated from Thiel College with a Bachelor degree in Geology.

        Robert N. Skinner has served as our Vice President of Operations and Engineering—Permian since October 2011. He was Executive Vice President at Laredo Petroleum-Dallas, Inc. from July 2011 to October 2011. From June 2006 to July 2011, he served as Executive Vice President—Operations of Broad Oak. He was Vice President—Operations of Camden Resources, Inc. from April 2000 to June 2006. Mr. Skinner graduated from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering.

        Diane T. Wood joined Laredo in October 2010 as Controller. Prior to joining Laredo, she was the Chief Financial Officer and Vice President—Finance for Cherokee Nation Businesses, LLC from December 2007 to June 2010. Between July and September 2010, Ms. Wood conducted an employment search which resulted in her position at Laredo. Immediately prior to her position with Cherokee Nation Businesses, LLC, Ms. Wood was an independent consultant from January 2007 until November 2007. She was the Chief Financial Officer for Genisoy Foods from September 2005 to December 2006. Ms. Wood's experience includes 10 years in public accounting, primarily performing audits of oil and gas companies, and 15 years of industry experience in oil and gas, consumer food products and acquisitions. Ms. Wood is a certified public accountant in the State of Oklahoma. Ms. Wood graduated from the University of Tulsa with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with a degree in accounting.

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Executive Compensation

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

        The following discussion and analysis contains statements regarding our and our named executive officers' future performance targets and goals. These targets and goals are disclosed in the limited context of our compensation programs and should not be understood to be statements of management's expectations or estimates of results or other guidance.

Introduction

        The following compensation discussion and analysis describes the material elements of compensation for our named executive officers as determined by the compensation committee of Laredo LLC's board of directors (the "compensation committee") for the periods prior to the completion of the proposed initial public offering of LPH's common stock. In particular, this "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" (1) provides an overview of our historical and proposed compensation policies and programs; (2) explains our compensation objectives, policies and practices with respect to our executive officers; and (3) identifies the elements of compensation for each of the individuals identified in the following table, who we refer to in this "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" section as our "named executive officers."

Named executive officers

        For the 2010 fiscal year, our named executive officers are:

Name
  Principal position

Randy A. Foutch

  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

W. Mark Womble

  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Jerry R. Schuyler

  President and Chief Operating Officer

Patrick J. Curth

  Senior Vice President—Exploration and Land

John E. Minton

  Senior Vice President—Reservoir Engineering

        Messrs. Foutch and Womble are named executive officers by reason of their positions as the principal executive and financial officers of Laredo Inc., and each of Messrs. Schuyler, Curth and Minton are named executive officers by reason of their being the three most highly compensated officers of Laredo Inc. other than Messrs. Foutch and Womble.

Administration of our compensation programs

        During 2010, our executive compensation program was overseen by the compensation committee. The purpose of the compensation committee is to oversee the administration of compensation programs for all officers and employees of Laredo LLC and its subsidiaries, including Laredo Inc. Officer compensation is reviewed annually for possible adjustments by the compensation committee. If the proposed initial public offering of LPH's common stock is consummated, compensatory arrangements with our named executive officers will remain the responsibility of our compensation committee.

        The following discussion of our compensation programs and philosophy describes the material elements of compensation for our named executive officers as determined by the compensation committee for the periods prior to the date of this prospectus. Based on input from the compensation consultant advising the compensation committee, we also highlight under the heading titled "—Other matters—Changes to our compensation program," material changes to our compensation program that we have adopted in connection with, and for periods continuing after, the proposed initial public

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offering of LPH's common stock, if consummated, and other changes adopted in 2011 by the compensation committee.

Compensation philosophy and objectives of our executive compensation program

        Historically, we have sought to grow our privately owned energy company focused on the exploration and development of oil and natural gas in the Permian and Mid-Continent regions of the United States. Our compensation philosophy has been primarily focused on recruiting and motivating individuals to help us continue that growth. Our executive compensation program is designed to attract, retain and motivate our highly qualified and committed personnel by compensating them with both long-term incentive compensation in the form of equity based incentive awards and cash compensation comprised of salary and the possibility of annual bonuses. With respect to long-term incentive compensation, we provide our officers and certain other key employees an opportunity to invest in our equity on the same terms as our institutional equity investor and award profit units to all employees so they can benefit financially from the continued success of Laredo. Annual bonus amounts, which are entirely discretionary, reward our employees for overall company performance with consideration given to individual performance during the year relative to our continually evolving company objectives.

        Although we strive to keep our executive officers' total cash compensation at levels that we believe are generally competitive with comparable positions of similar responsibility within our industry, no particular baseline (e.g., median or percentile) or particularized survey data has historically been employed for comparison or compensation-setting purposes. We periodically assessed the competitiveness of the compensation packages for our executive officers and made appropriate adjustments to our program when we deemed it necessary. Any adjustment to our executive officers' compensation requires the recommendation of the compensation committee and the approval of the board of directors.

        Over the course of the several months preceding the proposed initial public offering of LPH's common stock, we have undertaken various reporting company preparedness initiatives to ensure the competiveness of our executive compensation programs and further align the interests of our executive officers and other employees with the long-term objectives of Laredo. In particular, we engaged a compensation consultant to review the compensation we provide to our executive officers, recommend prospective compensation changes and identify potential areas where our compensation programs could be more competitive as discussed under the headings "—Role of external advisors" and "—Other matters—Changes to our compensation program."

Implementing our objectives

        Executive compensation decisions have historically been made on an annual basis by the compensation committee with input from Randy A. Foutch, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Jerry R. Schuyler, our President and Chief Operating Officer, and W. Mark Womble, our Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Although the compensation committee considers the input received from these executive officers, compensation decisions are ultimately recommended by the compensation committee and approved by the board of directors.

        From time to time, Messrs. Foutch, Schuyler and Womble obtained and reviewed external market information to assess Laredo's ability to provide competitive compensation packages to our executive officers and recommend an adjustment to the compensation levels, when necessary. In making executive compensation decisions and recommendations, Messrs. Foutch, Schuyler and Womble considered the executive officers' performance during the year and Laredo's performance during the year. Moreover, an executive officer's expanded role at Laredo could also serve as a basis for adjustment. Specifically, Messrs. Foutch, Schuyler and Womble provided recommendations to the compensation committee regarding the compensation levels for our existing executive officers (including

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themselves) and our compensation program as a whole. The compensation committee may adjust base salary levels and then determine the amounts of discretionary cash bonus awards and the amount of any equity grants for each of our executive officers.

        While the compensation committee gave considerable weight to Messrs. Foutch, Schuyler and Womble's input on compensation matters, the board of directors, after considering the recommendations of the compensation committee, has the final decision making authority on all officer compensation matters. No other executive officers have assumed a role in the evaluation, design or administration of our executive officer compensation program.

Role of external advisors

        In July 2011, our compensation committee engaged Cogent Compensation Partners, Inc. ("Cogent") to serve as its independent compensation advisor. Cogent does not currently provide any other services to Laredo. The compensation committee's objective when engaging Cogent was to assess our level of competitiveness for executive-level talent and provide recommendations for attracting, motivating and retaining key employees in light of our transition into the new obligations we will face as a SEC registrant. As part of its engagement, Cogent:

        Cogent's report was presented to the board of directors as a whole in August 2011. The report was utilized by the compensation committee when making their recommendations to the board of directors for the compensation programs and adjustments to the current programs that were adopted in connection with, and for periods continuing after, the proposed initial public offering of LPH's common stock, if consummated.

Competitive benchmarking

        Cogent was engaged in part to assess the compensation levels of our top executive officers relative to the market and Laredo's peer group of companies, as set forth below. Cogent used the following parameters when constructing the peer group for its assessment: (1) resource-focused exploration and production companies that are publicly traded, (2) companies with a good performance track record, (3) companies with a strong management team with technical expertise, and (4) companies with revenue between $100 million and $1 billion. Using these parameters and collaborating with Messrs. Foutch, Schuyler and Womble and members of the compensation committee, Cogent developed and recommended a 17-company, industry reference peer group (the "Cogent Peer Group"), which was

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recommended by the compensation committee and approved by the board of directors. The Cogent Peer Group included the following companies:

        Given Cogent's engagement and their analysis, described under the heading "—Other matters—Changes to our compensation program," compensation program changes were adopted by the board of directors so as to target base salary and annual incentive compensation around the market median, and long-term incentive compensation with the opportunity to earn between the median and upper quartile so that total direct compensation levels would be between the median and the upper quartile among the Cogent Peer Group. We believe that targeting this level of compensation helps us achieve our overall total rewards strategy and executive compensation objectives outlined above. The details of our ongoing compensation program, as adjusted, are discussed more fully under "—Other matters—Changes to our compensation program."

Elements of compensation

        Compensation of our executive officers has historically included the following key components:

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Base salaries

        Base salaries are designed to provide a fixed level of cash compensation for services rendered during the year. Base salaries are reviewed annually, at a minimum, but are not adjusted if the compensation committee believes that our executives are currently compensated at proper levels in light of either our internal performance or external market factors.

        In addition to providing a base salary that we believe is competitive with other, similarly situated, independent oil and gas exploration and production companies, we also consider internal pay equity factors to appropriately align each of our named executive officer's salary levels relative to the salary levels of our other officers so that it accurately reflects the officer's relative skills, responsibilities, experience and contributions to Laredo. To that end, annual salary adjustments are based on a subjective analysis of many individual factors, including the:

        In addition to the individual factors listed above, we also take into consideration our overall business performance and implementation of company objectives. While these factors generally provide context for making salary decisions, base salary decisions do not depend directly on attainment of specific goals or performance levels and no specific weighting is given to one factor over another.

        In February 2010, the compensation committee approved a 5% base salary increase for John Minton in connection with his promotion to Senior Vice President—Reservoir Engineering and to adjust his base salary in order to provide him with fixed compensation comparable to market levels for similarly situated executives at the company. Messrs. Foutch, Womble, Schuyler and Curth did not receive a base salary increase during 2010. In February of 2011, the compensation committee approved a base salary increase of 3% for Messrs. Foutch, Womble, Schuyler and Curth and a 4% base salary increase for John Minton due to our performance during 2010 and in order to provide the named executive officers with fixed compensation comparable to market levels for similarly situated executives in the industry.

Annual discretionary cash bonus awards

        Discretionary cash bonus awards are a key part of each named executive officer's annual compensation package. The compensation committee believes that discretionary cash bonuses are an appropriate way to further our goals of attracting, retaining and rewarding highly qualified and experienced officers. Discretionary cash bonuses are generally awarded annually following completion of the service year for which bonuses are payable and are based primarily on Laredo's performance for such service year, but consideration is also given to individual performance and specific contribution to Laredo's success and performance.

        For the 2010 fiscal year, discretionary cash bonuses were determined in two parts at the sole discretion of the compensation committee for ultimate approval by the board of directors. 50% of the discretionary cash bonus awards for each named executive officer was determined by the 2010 Bonus Performance Metric Results described below, while the remaining 50% was subjectively determined by the compensation committee, while considering input provided by Mr. Foutch regarding individual performance factors such as leadership, commitment, attitude, motivational effect, level of responsibility and overall contribution to Laredo's success. Although our cash bonus program includes Laredo

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performance goals and objectives, our compensation committee has the ultimate discretion to recommend whether to award any, and the amount of, cash bonus awards, if any, even if the Bonus Performance Metric Results satisfy the Bonus Performance Metric Targets.

        The 2010 Bonus Performance Metric Results consisted of the following performance metric categories and targets for Laredo (the targets reflected in Laredo's 2010 internal budget), with the percentile as recommended by the compensation committee and approved by the board of directors:

Performance metric
  2010 targets   2010 results   Relative weighting  

Drilling Capital Efficiency ($/MCFE)

  $ 2.88   $ 2.83     25 %
 

Calculated by dividing the drilling dollars spent by the net Proved Developed Producing (PDP) reserves added

                   

Drilling ROR (%)

    20 %   25 %   25 %
 

The rate of return on a well by well basis at pre-drill commodity prices and actual costs

                   

Production (BCFE)

    17.5     18.6     15 %

New Reserves (BCFE)

    51.4     68.8     15 %
 

Proved Developed Producing (PDP) and Proved Developed Not Producing (PDNP) reserves added in the wells drilled in 2010

                   

Direct Lifting Cost ($/MCFE)

  $ 0.52   $ 0.53     10 %

Finding Cost ($/MCFE)

  $ 0.80   $ 0.94     10 %
 

The total exploration costs and developmental costs divided by the total proven reserves added during the year (BCFE)

                   

        The historical discretionary cash bonus target for all named executive officers has been 100% of their respective annual base salary. Based on Laredo's 2010 accomplishments and the 2010 performance results, Messrs. Foutch, Schuyler and Womble recommended to the compensation committee an average payout of 100% of the discretionary cash bonus target for the named executive officers. The compensation committee recommended, and the board of directors approved, a payout of 100% of the discretionary cash bonus target to Messrs. Foutch, Womble, Schuyler and Curth and a payout of 106% of the discretionary cash bonus target to Mr. Minton in connection with his promotion to Senior Vice President—Reservoir Engineering.

        For the portion of the 2011 fiscal year preceding the date of this prospectus, the performance metric categories include all of the 2010 performance metric categories and a General and Administrative Expenses performance metric category has been added. The relative weighting of the performance metric categories are reallocated each year as recommended by the compensation committee and approved by the board of directors.

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Long-term equity based incentive awards

        Our historical long-term equity-based incentive program was designed to provide our employees, including our named executive officers, with an incentive to focus on our long-term success and to act as a long-term retention tool by aligning the interests of our employees with those of our equityholders. We granted restricted units in Laredo LLC to our named executive officers and certain independent directors as a means of providing them with long-term equity incentive compensation that may directly profit from any success we achieve. This structure enabled us to identify a fixed number of restricted units on which distributions will flow through Laredo LLC to our named executive officers and directors. The grant of some of Laredo LLC's Series B-1, Series B-2, Series C, Series D and Series E Units (collectively, the "restricted units") were awarded at least annually, at the discretion of the compensation committee, and were based primarily on the relative value of each named executive officer's position, with consideration given to their individual performance. Specifically, individual performance factors such as leadership, commitment, attitude, motivational effect, level of responsibility and overall contribution to Laredo's success were also considered.

        On February 1, 2010 we granted certain Laredo LLC Series D Units to each of our named executive officers pursuant to certain restricted unit agreements. These restricted units are intended to constitute "profits interests" in Laredo LLC that will participate solely in any future profits and distributions of Laredo LLC. The allocation of numbers of restricted units in Laredo LLC that were granted to each named executive officer was determined at levels that primarily considered the relative importance of each executive's position with Laredo, the maintenance of their percentage ownership of the relevant series of restricted units, as well as each executive's performance and contribution to Laredo, as described above. The outstanding restricted units by series as of December 31, 2010 were as follows: 5,615,400 Series B-1 Units, 2,383,000 Series B-2 Units, 7,260,000 Series C Units, 9,611,600 Series D Units and 6,562,000 Series E Units. Therefore, the aggregate amount of outstanding restricted units as of December 31, 2010 was 31,432,000.

        The restricted units have a four year vesting schedule, vesting 20% on the grant date and 20% on each of the next four anniversaries of the grant date. Pursuant to the restricted unit agreement executed by Laredo LLC and each named executive officer, in the event of a termination of employment for cause, the named executive officer will forfeit all restricted units to Laredo LLC, including unvested restricted units and vested restricted units, and all rights arising from such restricted units and from being a holder thereof. In the event of a termination of employment without cause or an officer's resignation, the named executive officer will forfeit all unvested restricted units to Laredo LLC and all rights arising from such restricted units and from being a holder thereof. In the event of a termination without cause or an officer's resignation, we may elect to redeem his vested restricted units at a price equal to the fair market value of such units.

        If the named executive officer's employment with Laredo is terminated upon the death of the named executive officer or because the named executive officer is determined to be disabled by the board of directors, then all unvested units held by the named executive officer will automatically vest. Under the restricted unit agreement, a named executive officer will be considered to have incurred a "disability" in the event of the officer's inability to perform, even with reasonable accommodation, on a full-time basis the employment duties and responsibilities due to accident, physical or mental illness, or other circumstance; provided, however, that such inability continues for a period exceeding 180 days during any 12-month period.

        For a discussion of the treatment of our long-term equity based incentive awards as a result of the proposed initial public offering of LPH's common stock and corporate reorganization, see "Potential Corporate Reorganization."

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Other benefits

Employment, severance or change in control agreements

        We do not currently maintain any employment agreements. On November 9, 2011, LPH adopted the Laredo Petroleum Holdings, Inc. Change in Control Executive Severance Plan, which will become effective if the proposed initial public offering of its common stock is consummated and will provide severance payments and benefits to our named executive officers and eligible persons with the title of vice president and above, as determined by our compensation committee.

Other matters

Risk assessment

        The compensation committee has reviewed our compensation policies as generally applicable to our employees and believes that our policies do not encourage excessive and unnecessary risk-taking, and that the level of risk that they do encourage is not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on us.

        Our compensation philosophy and culture support the use of base salary, discretionary cash bonuses and long-term incentive restricted unit compensation that are generally uniform in design and operation throughout our organization and with all levels of employees. In addition, the following specific factors, in particular, reduce the likelihood of excessive risk-taking:

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        Furthermore, we provide our officers the opportunity to invest in our equity, and all of our named executive officers have made such an investment, thereby aligning their interests with those of our equity holders.

        In summary, because the compensation committee focuses on Laredo's performance, with only some consideration given to the specific individual performance of the employee when making compensation decisions, we believe our historical compensation programs did not encourage excessive and unnecessary risk taking by executive officers (or other employees). These programs were designed to encourage employees to remain focused on both our short and long-term operational and financial goals. We set performance goals that we believe were reasonable in light of our past performance and market conditions.

Changes to our compensation program

Actions taken after the 2010 fiscal year

        Base salaries:    As mentioned above under "—Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Elements of compensation—Base salaries", during 2011, the compensation committee approved a base salary increase of 3% for Messrs. Foutch, Womble, Schuyler and Curth and a 4% base salary increase for John E. Minton due to Laredo's performance during 2010 and in order to provide the named executive officers with fixed compensation comparable to market levels for similarly situated executive officers in the industry.

        Annual discretionary cash bonus awards:    As mentioned above under "—Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Elements of compensation—Annual discretionary cash bonus awards", for the portion of the 2011 fiscal year preceding the date of this prospectus, the performance metric categories for the annual discretionary cash bonus awards will include all of the 2010 performance metric categories and a General and Administrative Expenses performance metric category will be added. The relative weighting of the performance metric categories are reallocated each year as recommended by the compensation committee and approved by the board of directors.

        Adjustments to compensation program proposed by Cogent:    After a review of our current compensation practices and survey of the Cogent Peer Group, Cogent proposed a number of changes to base salary as well as annual and long-term incentive targets, that are intended to provide more typical public company base salary and incentive arrangements as compared to the Cogent Peer Group. Cogent proposed that the following changes be adopted:


Base salary

Name
  Current salary   Proposed salary  

Randy A. Foutch

  $ 466,800   $ 600,000  

W. Mark Womble

  $ 275,000   $ 350,000  

Jerry R. Schuyler

  $ 315,000   $ 375,000  

Patrick J. Curth

  $ 275,000   $ 330,000  

John E. Minton

  $ 230,000   $ 260,000  

        Based on these proposals, the compensation committee recommended, and the board of directors approved, increases in the base salaries of our executive officers as shown in the table above, effective as of September 1, 2011. The rationale for increasing base salaries was to adjust base salaries to approximately the median of the Cogent Peer Group, consistent with our compensation strategy. Cogent reported that prior to the adjustments, current base salaries of Laredo's named executive officers were approximately 85% of the market median.

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Incentive compensation

        Cogent also proposed setting annual incentive targets and long-term incentive targets as a percentage of base salary, and assumes (for purposes of the annual incentive plan) that Laredo adopt a more traditional performance-based annual bonus plan. Cogent's suggestion for a new annual incentive plan includes determining the bonus calculation as follows: 25% based on financial metrics and individual performance and 75% based on operational metrics. The chart below shows the new target award levels for each named executive under the annual and long-term incentive programs.

Name
  Annual incentive target   Long-term incentive target

Randy A. Foutch

  100% of Base Salary   450% of Base Salary

W. Mark Womble

  80%   275%

Jerry R. Schuyler

  85%   275%

Patrick J. Curth

  70%   275%

John E. Minton

  60%   150%

        Based on these proposals, the compensation committee recommended, and the board of directors approved, an annual bonus program that provides for 50% of a named executive officer's annual incentive to be non-formulaic at the compensation committee's discretion, based on the company's performance relative to such factors as, without limitation, Adjusted EBITDA and cash flow amounts, relative total shareholder return, individual performance and such other factors as may be determined by the compensation committee to be appropriate, and 50% to be determined based upon pre-established performance criteria consisting of the following operational metrics: (i) drilling capital efficiency, (ii) drilling ROR (%), (iii) production, (iv) new reserves, (v) direct lifting costs, (vi) finding costs, and (vii) general and administrative expense.

        Threshold, target and maximum annual incentives under this newly adopted program have not been established for our named executive officers for the 2011 fiscal year or any period following the date of this prospectus. Target incentive levels for each executive are listed above. Award levels are calculated on a threshold level of 50% of target and a maximum of 200% of target.

        Adoption of long-term incentive plan:    In contemplation of the proposed initial public offering of LPH's common stock, the compensation committee recommended and the board of directors of LPH adopted the Laredo Petroleum Holdings, Inc. 2011 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan, which provides for performance awards, restricted stock and stock options to eligible employees, directors and consultants. This plan will not become effective unless the initial public offering of LPH's common stock is consummated. Grants of equity-based compensation or target long-term incentives under this new program have not been established for our named executive officers for the 2011 year or any period after the date of this prospectus.

        The Laredo Petroleum Holdings, Inc. 2011 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan is further described below.

        Adoption of change in control severance policy:    LPH has adopted the Laredo Petroleum Holdings, Inc. Change in Control Executive Severance Plan, which will become effective if the proposed initial public offering of LPH's common stock is consummated and covers our named executive officers and eligible persons with the title of vice president and above, as selected by our compensation committee. The policy provides an eligible participant with a lump sum cash severance payment and continued health benefits in the event that the participant experiences a qualifying termination within the one year period following the occurrence of a qualifying change in control event. In the event that an eligible executive's employment is terminated without cause or for good reason within the one-year period following the occurrence of a change in control, the executive would become entitled to receive 100% (in the case of our chief executive officer, 300%, and in the case of our other

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named executive officers, 200%) of the executive's base salary and 100% of the executive's target bonus. In addition, the executive would receive company paid COBRA continuation coverage for up to twelve months following the date of termination.

        Recent grants of restricted units:    On July 1, 2011, the limited liability company agreement of Laredo LLC was amended and restated. The amendment and restatement, among other things, created three new series of incentive units, which are subject to the same vesting requirements as the other restricted units. On August 10, 2011, Laredo LLC granted an aggregate of approximately 5.3 million Series F Units to legacy Laredo employees, including to the named executive officers, and approximately 1.2 million Series G Units and approximately 0.7 million BOE Incentive Units to certain new employees from Broad Oak, all of which were authorized pursuant to the limited liability company agreement. For a description of the proposed corporate reorganization, see "Potential Corporate Reorganization."

Equity ownership guidelines

        The compensation committee recommended and the board of directors approved stock ownership guidelines for directors and the executive management team in order to further align the interest of our directors and officers with those of our stockholders. If the proposed initial public offering of LPH's common stock is consummated, individuals have three years to reach the following stock ownership guidelines (as a multiple of base salary): (i) Chief Executive Officer: 5x, (ii) President and Chief Operating Officer: 3x, (iii) Senior Vice President: 2x, (iv) Vice President: 1x and (v) directors: $400,000 worth of company stock. Stock actually owned, as well as stock awarded under restricted stock awards, are included for purposes of satisfying these guidelines. No stock potentially exercisable under stock options is included.

Tax and accounting implications

        Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m) denies a federal income tax deduction for certain compensation in excess of $1 million per year paid to the chief executive officer and the three other most highly-paid executive officers (other than the chief executive officer and chief financial officer) of a publicly-traded corporation. Certain types of compensation, including compensation based on performance criteria that are approved in advance by stockholders, are excluded from the deduction limit. In addition, "grandfather" provisions may apply to certain compensation arrangements that were entered into by a corporation before it was publicly held. In view of these grandfather provisions, we believe that Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code will not limit our tax deductions for executive compensation for the first three fiscal years following the consummation of the proposed initial public offering, if consummated. Going forward, our policy is to qualify compensation paid to our executive officers for deductibility for federal income tax purposes to the extent feasible. However, to retain highly skilled executives and remain competitive with other employers, the compensation committee will have the right to authorize compensation that would not otherwise be deductible under Section 162(m) or otherwise.

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Summary compensation

        The following table summarizes, with respect to our named executive officers, information relating to the compensation earned for services rendered in all capacities during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010.

Summary compensation table for the year ended December 31, 2010

Name and principal position
  Salary
($)(1)
  Bonus
($)
  Stock
awards
($)(2)(3)
  All other
compensation
($)(4)
  Total ($)  

Randy A. Foutch,

    452,100     453,200     0     183,408 (5)   1,088,708  
 

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

                               

W. Mark Womble,

    266,350     267,000     0     17,022     550,372  
 

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial

                               
 

Officer

                               

Jerry R. Schuyler,

    305,158     305,900     0     17,022     628,080  
 

President and Chief Operating Officer

                               

Patrick J. Curth,

    266,350     267,000     0     17,022     550,372  
 

Senior Vice President—Exploration and Land

                               

John E. Minton,

    220,083     235,000     0     16,983     472,066  
 

Senior Vice President—Reservoir Engineering

                               

(1)
We review compensation in the first quarter of each fiscal year. Salary amounts in this table reflect the actual base salary payments earned in 2010.

(2)
We awarded restricted unit awards to our named executive officers, which we describe above under the heading "—Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Elements of compensation—Long-term equity based incentive awards."

(3)
The amounts reported under "Stock Awards" reflect the aggregate grant date fair value for restricted units granted to our named executive officers during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, calculated in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") topic 718 ("ASC 718"), Compensation—Unit Compensation. The restricted units vest 20% on the grant date and 20% on each of the next four anniversaries of the grant date. The fair value of equity compensation awards was calculated at the end of each calendar quarter and at December 31, 2010 using Laredo's estimated market value. The market value calculated is applied to awards granted during the current quarter. The estimated market value is calculated based on the value of Laredo's proved reserves using published market prices held flat after year five and then applying the following present value factors to the cash flows for proved reserves: 8% to proved developed properties, 15% to proved developed nonproducing properties and 20% to proved undeveloped properties. The aggregate calculated values are then adjusted by the net value of Laredo's other non-oil and gas assets and liabilities to arrive at a net asset value. The net asset value is then adjusted for equity capital invested and the corresponding 7% preference amount to arrive at the net value. The net value is then allocated to each class of outstanding units, based upon unit sharing ratios and unit threshold values to arrive at the fair market value for each respective award (see Notes E and F in our audited combined financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus for further information).

(4)
Includes the aggregate value of matching contributions to our 401(k) plan and the dollar value of life insurance coverage during 2010.

(5)
During 2010, $166,386 represents the portion of the expenses paid by us which would otherwise have been paid by Mr. Foutch for the use of his personally owned aircraft not directly related to business. These payments represent only a partial refund of the total costs and expenses of flying the aircraft. For further details, see "Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Other Related Party Transactions."

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Grants of plan-based awards for fiscal year 2010

        The following table provides information concerning each restricted unit award (referred to in the table as "stock awards") granted to our named executive officers under any plan that has been transferred during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010.


Grants of plan-based awards table for the year ended December 31, 2010

Name
  Grant
date
  All other stock awards(1)   Grant date
fair value of
stock and
option
awards(2)
 
 
   
  (#)
  ($)
 

Randy A. Foutch

    2/1/2010     1,476,000     0  

W. Mark Womble

    2/1/2010     268,000     0  

Jerry R. Schuyler

    2/1/2010     468,000     0  

Patrick J. Curth

    2/1/2010     289,000     0  

John E. Minton

    2/1/2010     135,000     0  

(1)
Represents the number of Series D Units in Laredo LLC granted pursuant to the restricted unit agreement. The restricted units vest ratably over four years at each anniversary of the grant. For more information concerning these awards, see the discussion above in "—Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Elements of compensation—Long-term equity based incentive awards."

(2)
See footnote 3 to the Summary Compensation Table for a description of the calculation of the grant date fair value for the equity awards.

        For more information concerning our equity, consisting of the preferred units and the restricted units, see Notes E and F in our audited combined financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.

Narrative disclosure to summary compensation table and grants of plan-based awards table

        The following is a discussion of material factors necessary to an understanding of the information disclosed in the Summary compensation table and the Grants of plan-based awards table set forth above.

Restricted stock awards

        The stock awards reflected above in the "Grants of plan-based awards table" consists of Series D Units in Laredo LLC. These restricted units are intended to constitute "profits interests" in Laredo LLC that would have participated solely in any future profits and distributions of Laredo LLC. The allocation of numbers of restricted units in Laredo LLC that were granted to each named executive officer was determined at levels that primarily considered the relative importance of each executive's title and position with Laredo, the maintenance of their percentage ownership of the relevant series of restricted units, as well as each executive's performance and contribution to Laredo. Absent a termination of employment prior to full vesting of the restricted units, the restricted units have a four year vesting schedule, vesting 20% on the grant date and 20% on each of the next four anniversaries of the grant date. Treatment of these units is described under "Potential Corporate Reorganization."

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Base salary and discretionary cash bonus awards in proportion to total compensation

        The following table sets forth the approximate percentage of each named executive officer's total compensation that we paid in the form of base salary and cash bonus awards during fiscal 2010. We view the various components of compensation as related but distinct and emphasize "performance" by tying significant portions of total compensation to short- and long-term financial and strategic goals, currently in the form of base salaries, annual discretionary cash bonus awards and long-term equity based incentive awards. Our compensation philosophy is designed to align the interests of our employees with those of our equity holders. While the current value of the cash compensation components outweighs the current value of the incentive-based grant of the restricted units, this proportion does not reflect the concept that the future value of our equity is an incentive for the long-term success of Laredo. For more information regarding the restricted unit awards, see the "Grants of plan-based awards table" above. We also attempt to set each officer's base salary in line with comparable positions with our peers and to award an annual cash bonus based on the achievement of overall company strategic goals and each individual's relative contribution to those goals.

Name
  Percentage of
total compensation
 

Randy A. Foutch

    83 %

W. Mark Womble

    97 %

Jerry R. Schuyler

    97 %

Patrick J. Curth

    97 %

John E. Minton

    96 %

Laredo Petroleum Holdings, Inc. 2011 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan

        LPH has adopted the Laredo Petroleum Holdings, Inc. 2011 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan, or the 2011 Plan, which will become effective if the proposed initial public offering of LPH's common stock is consummated. The purpose of the 2011 Plan is to provide a means for Laredo to attract and retain key personnel and for Laredo's directors, officers, employees, consultants and advisors to acquire and maintain an equity interest in Laredo, thereby strengthening their commitment to the welfare of Laredo and aligning their interests with those of Laredo's stockholders. Under the 2011 Plan, awards of stock options, including both incentive stock options and nonstatutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and restricted stock units, stock bonus awards and performance compensation awards may be granted. For a description of these types of rights and awards, see the 2011 Plan. Subject to adjustment for certain corporate events, 10 million shares is the maximum number of shares of our common stock authorized and reserved for issuance under the 2011 Plan.

        Eligibility.    Our employees, consultants and directors and those of our affiliated companies, as well as those whom we reasonably expect to become our employees, consultants and directors or those of our affiliated companies are eligible for awards, provided that incentive stock options may be granted only to employees. A written agreement between LPH and each participant will evidence the terms of each award granted under the 2011 Plan.

        Shares subject to the 2011 Plan.    The shares that may be issued pursuant to awards will be LPH's common stock, $0.01 par value per share, and the maximum aggregate amount of common stock which may be issued upon exercise of all awards under the 2011 Plan, including incentive stock options, may not exceed 10 million shares, subject to adjustment to reflect certain corporate transactions or changes in our capital structure. In addition, the maximum number of shares with respect to which options and/or stock appreciation rights may be granted to any participant in any one year period is limited to 10 million shares, the maximum number of shares with respect to which incentive stock options may be granted under the 2011 Plan may not exceed 10 million shares, no more than 10 million shares may be earned in respect of performance compensation awards denominated in shares granted to any single

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participant for a single calendar year during a performance period, or in the event that the performance compensation award is paid in cash, other securities, other awards or other property, no more than the fair market value of 10 million shares of common stock on the last day of the performance period to which the award related, and the maximum amount that can be paid to any single participant in one calendar year pursuant to a cash bonus award is $5 million, in each case, subject to adjustment for certain corporate events.

        If any award under the 2011 Plan expires or otherwise terminates, in whole or in part, without having been exercised in full, the common stock withheld from issuance under that award will become available for future issuance under the 2011 Plan. If shares issued under the 2011 Plan are reacquired by LPH pursuant to the terms of any forfeiture provision, those shares will become available for future awards under the 2011 Plan. Awards that can only be settled in cash will not be treated as shares of common stock granted for purposes of the 2011 Plan.

        Administration.    LPH's board of directors, or a committee of members of LPH's board of directors appointed by LPH's board of directors, may administer the 2011 Plan, and that administrator is referred to in this summary as the "administrator." Among other responsibilities, the administrator selects participants from among the eligible individuals, determines the number of shares of common stock that will be subject to each award and determines the terms and conditions of each award, including exercise price, methods of payment and vesting schedules. LPH's board of directors may amend or terminate the 2011 Plan at any time. Amendments will not be effective without stockholder approval if stockholder approval is required by applicable law or stock exchange requirements.

        Adjustments in capitalization.    Subject to the terms of an award agreement, if there is a specified type of change in LPH's common stock, such as stock or extraordinary cash dividends, stock splits, reverse stock splits, recapitalizations, reorganizations, mergers, consolidations, combinations, exchanges or other relevant changes in capitalization, appropriate equitable adjustments or substitutions will be made to the various limits under, and the share terms of, the 2011 Plan and the awards granted thereunder, including the maximum number of shares reserved under the 2011 Plan, the maximum number of shares with respect to which any participant may be granted awards and the number, price or kind of shares of common stock or other consideration subject to awards to the extent necessary to preserve the economic intent of the award. In addition, subject to the terms of an award agreement, in the event of certain mergers, the sale of all or substantially all of LPH's assets, LPH's reorganization or liquidation, or LPH's agreement to enter into any such transaction, the administrator may cancel outstanding awards and cause participants to receive, in cash, stock or a combination thereof, the value of the awards.

        Change in control.    In the event of a change in control, all options and stock appreciation rights subject to an award will become fully vested and immediately exercisable and any restricted period imposed upon restricted awards will expire immediately (including a waiver of applicable performance goals). Accelerated exercisability and lapse of restricted periods will, to the extent practicable, occur at a time which allows participants to participate in the change in control. In the event of a change of control, all incomplete performance periods will end, the administrator will determine the extent to which performance goals have been met, and such awards will be paid based upon the degree to which performance goals were achieved.

        Nontransferability.    In general, each award granted under the 2011 Plan may be exercisable only by a participant during the participant's lifetime or, if permissible under applicable law, by the participant's legal guardian or representative. Except in very limited circumstances, no award may be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by a participant other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and any such purported assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance will be void and unenforceable against us. However, the designation of a beneficiary will not constitute an assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance.

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        Section 409A.    The provisions of the 2011 Plan and the awards granted under the 2011 Plan are intended to comply with or be exempt from the provisions of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations thereunder so as to avoid the imposition of an additional tax under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.

Outstanding equity awards at 2010 fiscal year-end

        The following table provides information concerning restricted unit awards that had not vested for our named executive officers as of December 31, 2010.


Outstanding equity awards table as of December 31, 2010

Name
  Shares/units
not
vested(1)(2)
  Market value
of
shares/units
not
vested(3)
 
 
  (#)
  ($)
 

Randy A. Foutch

             
 

Series B-1

    470,000     0  
 

Series B-2

    334,000     0  
 

Series C

    820,000     0  
 

Series D

    2,059,800     0  
 

Series E

    1,602,000     0  

W. Mark Womble

             
 

Series B-1

    97,200     0  
 

Series B-2

    60,400     0  
 

Series C

    220,000     0  
 

Series D

    374,000     0  
 

Series E

    399,000     0  

Jerry R. Schuyler

             
 

Series B-1

    170,200     0  
 

Series B-2

    108,800     0  
 

Series C

    380,000     0  
 

Series D

    653,400     0  
 

Series E

    684,000     0  

Patrick J. Curth

             
 

Series B-1

    93,800     0  
 

Series B-2

    65,600     0  
 

Series C

    190,000     0  
 

Series D

    403,400     0  
 

Series E

    285,000     0  

John E. Minton

             
 

Series B-1

    40,000     0  
 

Series B-2

    20,000     0  
 

Series C

    70,000     0  
 

Series D

    186,000     0  
 

Series E

    90,000     0  

(1)
Represents the number of restricted units in Laredo LLC granted pursuant to the restricted unit agreement. For more information concerning these restricted unit awards, see the discussion above under "—Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Elements of compensation—Long-term equity based incentive awards." As described below under

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(2)
The restricted units have a four year vesting schedule, vesting 20% on the grant date and 20% on each of the next four anniversaries of the grant date.

(3)
The market value was calculated in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation—Unit Compensation. The fair value of equity compensation awards was calculated at the end of each calendar quarter and at December 31, 2010 using Laredo's estimated market value. The market value calculated is applied to awards granted during the current quarter. The estimated market value is calculated based on the value of Laredo's proved reserves using published market prices held flat after year five and then applying the following present value factors to the cash flows for proved reserves: 8% to proved developed properties, 15% to proved developed nonproducing properties and 20% to proved undeveloped properties. The aggregate calculated values are then adjusted by the net value of Laredo's other non-oil and gas assets and liabilities to arrive at a net asset value. The net asset value is then adjusted for equity capital invested and the corresponding 7% preference amount to arrive at the net value. The net value is then allocated to each class of outstanding units, based upon unit sharing ratios and unit threshold values to arrive at the fair market value for each respective award (see Notes E and F in our audited combined financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus for further information).

        For more information concerning our equity, consisting of the preferred units and the restricted units, see Notes E and F in our audited combined financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.

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Units vested in fiscal year 2010

        The following table provides information concerning the vesting of restricted unit awards (referred to in the table as "stock awards"), during fiscal 2010 on an aggregated basis with respect to each of our named executive officers.


Stock vested for the year ended December 31, 2010

 
  Stock awards  
Name
  Shares acquired
on vesting(1)
  Value realized on
vesting(2)
 
 
  (#)
  ($)
 

Randy A. Foutch

             
 

Series B-1

    405,000     0  
 

Series B-2

    167,000     0  
 

Series C

    560,000     0  
 

Series D

    588,200     0  
 

Series E

    534,000     0  

W. Mark Womble

             
 

Series B-1

    73,600     0  
 

Series B-2

    30,200     0  
 

Series C

    140,000     0  
 

Series D

    106,800     0  
 

Series E

    133,000     0  

Jerry R. Schuyler

             
 

Series B-1

    126,600     0  
 

Series B-2

    54,400     0  
 

Series C

    240,000     0  
 

Series D

    186,600     0  
 

Series E

    228,000     0  

Patrick J. Curth

             
 

Series B-1

    79,400     0  
 

Series B-2

    32,800     0  
 

Series C

    120,000     0  
 

Series D

    115,200     0  
 

Series E

    95,000     0  

John E. Minton

             
 

Series B-1

    30,000     0  
 

Series B-2

    10,000     0  
 

Series C

    40,000     0  
 

Series D

    53,000     0  
 

Series E

    30,000     0  

(1)
The number of shares acquired on vesting represents the gross number of units vested. There were no payroll taxes withheld from these awards.

(2)
The value realized upon vesting was the gross number of units vested multiplied by the fair market value of the units. The fair market value of the units as of December 31, 2010 was $0.00. The value was calculated in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation—Unit Compensation. The fair value of equity compensation awards was calculated at the end of each calendar quarter and at December 31, 2010 using Laredo's estimated market value. The market value calculated is applied to awards granted during the current quarter. The

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Pension benefits

        We maintain a 401(k) Plan for our employees, including our named executive officers, but at this time we do not sponsor or maintain a pension plan for any of our employees.

Nonqualified deferred compensation

        We do not provide a deferred compensation plan for our employees at this time.

Potential payments upon termination or change in control

        As described above, we do not maintain individual employment agreements. Laredo has adopted the Laredo Petroleum Holdings, Inc. Change in Control Executive Severance Plan, which will become effective if the proposed initial public offering of LPH's common stock is consummated. The plan will provide severance payments and benefits to our named executive officers and eligible persons with the title of vice president and above, as determined by our compensation committee.

        Each of the named executive officers has been awarded restricted units by Laredo LLC that may be affected by the officer's termination of employment or the occurrence of certain corporate events. As mentioned above under the heading "—Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Elements of compensation—Long-term equity based incentive awards," pursuant to the restricted unit agreement executed by Laredo LLC and each named executive officer, in the event of a termination of employment for cause, the named executive officer will forfeit all restricted units to Laredo LLC, including unvested restricted units and vested restricted units, and all rights arising from such restricted units and from being a holder thereof. In the event of a termination of employment without cause or an officer's resignation, the named executive officer will forfeit all unvested restricted units to Laredo LLC and all rights arising from such restricted units and from being a holder thereof. For a period of one year from the date of termination of the named executive officer's employment, in the event of a termination of employment for cause, we may also elect to redeem his Series A-1 Units and Series A-2 Units (collectively, the "preferred units") at a price per unit equal to the lesser of the fair market value or original purchase price. In the event of a termination without cause or an officer's resignation, we may elect to redeem his preferred units and vested restricted units at a price equal to the fair market value of such units.

        If the named executive officer's employment with Laredo is terminated upon the death of the named executive officer or because the named executive officer is determined to be disabled by the board of directors, then all of his unvested restricted units will automatically vest. Under the restricted unit agreement, a named executive officer will be considered to have incurred a "disability" in the event of the officer's inability to perform, even with reasonable accommodation, on a full-time basis the employment duties and responsibilities due to accident, physical or mental illness, or other

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circumstance; provided, however, that such inability continues for a period exceeding 180 days during any 12-month period.

        Pursuant to the restricted unit agreement executed by Laredo LLC and each named executive officer, in the event of a change of control, all unvested restricted units will become fully vested as of the date of the change of control, provided that the named executive officer remains employed by Laredo Inc. through the date of such change of control. According to the limited liability company agreement of Laredo LLC, a "change of control" generally includes the occurrence of (i) at any time prior to a qualified public offering (which is defined to be any firm commitment underwritten initial public offering of equity securities pursuant to an effective registration statement of at least $100,000,000, whereby such equity securities are authorized and approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange or admitted to trading and quoted in the Nasdaq Global Market system), the holders of preferred units dispose of in the aggregate 80% of the outstanding preferred units by way of unit disposition or pursuant to any merger or other business combination of Laredo LLC, (ii) at any time after a qualified public offering, any person acquires beneficial ownership of securities of Laredo LLC, or any of its subsidiaries, representing 40% or more of the combined voting power of the outstanding securities (provided, however, that if the surviving entity becomes a subsidiary of another entity, then the outstanding securities shall be deemed to refer to the outstanding securities of the parent entity), (iii) at any time after a qualified public offering, a majority of the members of the board of directors who served on the date of the qualified public offering no longer serve as directors; or (iv) at any time after a qualified public offering, the consummation of a merger or consolidation of the IPO issuer with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the IPO issuer outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent more than 40% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the IPO issuer outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation.

Potential payments upon termination or change in control table for fiscal 2010

        The information set forth in the table below is based on the assumption that the applicable triggering event under the restricted unit agreement to which each named officer was a party occurred on December 31, 2010, the last business day of fiscal 2010. Accordingly, the information reported in the table indicates the value of units that would vest by reason of a termination under the circumstances described above, or upon a change of control, and is our best estimation of our obligations to each named executive officer and will only be determinable with any certainty upon the occurrence of the applicable event. The fair market value per unit of each applicable unit in Laredo LLC was $0.00 on December 31, 2010.

Name
  Occurrence of a
termination event ($)
  Occurrence of a
change of
control ($)(6)
 

Randy A. Foutch(1)

    0     0  

W. Mark Womble(2)

    0     0  

Jerry R. Schuyler(3)

    0     0  

Patrick J. Curth(4)

    0     0  

John E. Minton(5)

    0     0  

(1)
As of December 31, 2010, Randy A. Foutch held 470,000 unvested Series B-1 restricted units, 334,000 unvested Series B-2 restricted units, 820,000 unvested Series C restricted units, 2,059,800 unvested Series D restricted units and 1,602,000 unvested Series E restricted units.

(2)
As of December 31, 2010, W. Mark Womble held 97,200 unvested Series B-1 restricted units, 60,400 unvested Series B-2 restricted units, 220,000 unvested Series C restricted

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(3)
As of December 31, 2010, Jerry R. Schuyler held 170,200 unvested Series B-1 restricted units, 108,800 unvested Series B-2 restricted units, 380,000 unvested Series C restricted units, 653,400 unvested Series D restricted units and 684,000 unvested Series E restricted units.

(4)
As of December 31, 2010, Patrick J. Curth held 93,800 unvested Series B-1 restricted units, 65,600 unvested Series B-2 restricted units, 190,000 unvested Series C restricted units, 403,400 unvested Series D restricted units and 285,000 unvested Series E restricted units.

(5)
As of December 31, 2010, John E. Minton held 40,000 unvested Series B-1 restricted units, 20,000 unvested Series B-2 restricted units, 70,000 unvested Series C restricted units, 186,000 unvested Series D restricted units and 90,000 unvested Series E restricted units.

(6)
The value was calculated in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation—Unit Compensation. The fair value of equity compensation awards was calculated at the end of each calendar quarter and at December 31, 2010 using Laredo's estimated market value. The market value calculated is applied to awards granted during the current quarter. The estimated market value is calculated based on the value of Laredo's proved reserves using published market prices held flat after year five and then applying the following present value factors to the cash flows for proved reserves: 8% to proved developed properties, 15% to proved developed nonproducing properties and 20% to proved undeveloped properties. The aggregate calculated values are then adjusted by the net value of Laredo's other non-oil and gas assets and liabilities to arrive at a net asset value. The net asset value is then adjusted for equity capital invested and the corresponding 7% preference amount to arrive at the net value. The net value is then allocated to each class of outstanding units, based upon unit sharing ratios and unit threshold values to arrive at the fair market value for each respective award (see Notes E and F in our audited combined financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus for further information).

Compensation of directors

        For the 2010 fiscal year, the members of the board of directors did not receive cash compensation for their services as directors. The independent directors are eligible to receive restricted units under our long-term equity based incentive program. However, the directors appointed by Warburg Pincus receive no equity compensation for their services as a director.

        An employee/member of the board of directors receives no additional compensation for services as a director. Accordingly, the Summary Compensation Table reflects the total compensation received by Randy A. Foutch and Jerry R. Schuyler.

        Our independent directors may be reimbursed for their expenses to attend board meetings. However, the directors appointed by Warburg Pincus receive no reimbursement for expenses to attend board meetings.

        As mentioned above under "—Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Elements of compensation—Long-term equity based incentive awards", we grant restricted units in Laredo LLC to our directors as a means of providing them with long-term equity incentive compensation that may directly profit from any success we achieve. This structure enables us to identify a fixed number of restricted units on which distributions will flow through Laredo LLC to our directors. We believe that

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providing equity compensation from Laredo LLC allows us to retain the ability to incentivize our directors to focus on our long-term success.

        Pursuant to certain restricted unit agreements, on February 1, 2010 we granted certain Laredo LLC Series D Units to directors Bill Parker and Pamela Pierce, and on February 16, 2010, we granted certain Laredo LLC Series D Units and Series E Units to directors Ambassador Francis Rooney and Donald D. Wolf. These restricted units are intended to constitute "profits interests" in Laredo LLC that will participate solely in any future profits of Laredo LLC that result from any distributions on our units that are held by Laredo LLC.

        The following table summarizes, with respect to our non-employee directors, information relating to the compensation earned for services rendered as directors during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010. Prior to the consummation of the proposed initial public offering of LPH's common stock and corporate reorganization, the stock awards will be converted into common stock or common stock awards in connection with the corporate reorganization. See "Potential Corporate Reorganization."


Director compensation table for the year ended December 31, 2010

Name
  Stock
awards(1)
  All other
compensation
  Total  
 
   
  ($)
  ($)
 

Jeffrey Harris

             

Peter R. Kagan

             

James R. Levy

             

B.Z. (Bill) Parker(2)

                   
 

Series D

    30,000          

Pamela S. Pierce(3)

                   
 

Series D

    30,000          

Ambassador Francis Rooney(4)

                   
 

Series D

    70,000          
 

Series E

    78,000          

Donald D. Wolf(5)

                   
 

Series D

    70,000          
 

Series E

    78,000          

(1)
We awarded the restricted unit awards as described above under "—Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Elements of compensation—Long-term equity based incentive awards". The amounts reported as Stock Awards represent the grant date fair value of restricted unit grants awarded to or in respect of our directors during 2010, computed in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation—Unit Compensation. Restricted units vest ratably over four years at each anniversary of the grant. The fair value of equity compensation awards was calculated at the end of each calendar quarter and at December 31, 2010 using Laredo's estimated market value. The market value calculated is applied to awards granted during the current quarter. The estimated market value is calculated based on the value of Laredo's proved reserves using published market prices held flat after year five and then applying the following present value factors to the cash flows for proved reserves: 8% to proved developed properties, 15% to proved developed nonproducing properties and 20% to proved undeveloped properties. The aggregate calculated values are then adjusted by the net value of Laredo's other non-oil and gas assets and liabilities to arrive at a net asset value. The net asset value is then adjusted for equity capital invested and the corresponding 7% preference amount to arrive at the net

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(2)
At December 31, 2010, the director held 28,000 Series B-1 restricted units, 17,000 Series B-2 restricted units, 40,000 Series C restricted units, 60,000 Series D restricted units and 38,000 Series E restricted units.

(3)
At December 31, 2010, the director held 28,000 Series B-1 restricted units, 17,000 Series B-2 restricted units, 40,000 Series C restricted units, 60,000 Series D restricted units and 38,000 Series E restricted units.

(4)
At December 31, 2010, the director held 70,000 Series D restricted units and 78,000 Series E restricted units.

(5)
At December 31, 2010, the director held 70,000 Series D restricted units and 78,000 Series E restricted units.

Director compensation post proposed public offering of LPH's common stock and corporate reorganization, if consummated

        Based on a competitive review by Cogent of outside director compensation paid by our peers, the board of directors adopted the compensation arrangement for Laredo following the consummation of the proposed initial public offering of LPH's common stock described below.

        Directors who are also employees of Laredo will not receive any additional compensation for serving on the board of directors.

Corporate Governance Matters

Board of Directors

        Our board of directors consists of nine members, including our Chief Executive Officer and our President and Chief Operating Officer. The board of directors reviewed the independence of our directors using the independence standards of the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, and based on this review, determined that Messrs. Kagan, Levy, Parker, Rooney, Segner, Wolf and Ms. Pierce are independent within the meaning of the NYSE listing standards currently in effect.

Audit committee

        The members of our audit committee are Messrs. Parker, Segner, Levy and Wolf. Our board of directors has determined that Messrs. Parker, Segner and Wolf are "independent" under the standards of the New York Stock Exchange and SEC regulations. This committee oversees, reviews, acts on and reports on various auditing and accounting matters to our board of directors, including: the selection of

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our independent accountants, the scope of our annual audits, fees to be paid to the independent accountants, the performance of our independent accountants and our accounting practices. In addition, the audit committee will oversee our compliance programs relating to legal and regulatory requirements. If the initial public offering of common stock of LPH is consummated, we will rely on the phase-in rules of the SEC and NYSE with respect to the independence of our audit committee. These rules permit us to have an audit committee that has one member that is independent upon the effectiveness of the registration statement for such offering, a majority of members that are independent within 90 days thereafter and all members that are independent within one year thereafter.

Compensation committee

        The members of the compensation committee are Messrs. Wolf, Rooney, Kagan and Ms. Pierce. This committee establishes salaries, incentives and other forms of compensation for officers and other employees. Our compensation committee also administers our incentive compensation and benefit plans.

Nominating and governance committee

        The members of our nominating and governance committee are Messrs. Rooney, Parker, Segner, Wolf and Ms. Pierce. This committee identifies, evaluates and recommends qualified nominees to serve on our board of directors, develops and oversees our internal corporate governance processes and maintains a management succession plan.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

        None of our executive officers has served as a director or member of the compensation committee of any other entity whose executive officers served as a director or member of our compensation committee.

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

        All of the common stock of Laredo Inc. is owned by Laredo LLC. The following table sets forth certain information as of November 25, 2011 regarding the beneficial ownership of Laredo LLC's voting units by (1) beneficial owners of 5% or more of the voting units, (2) each of our directors, (3) each of our named executive officers and (4) all of our directors and executive officers as a group.

Name of beneficial owner
  Number of
A-1
equity
units
  Percent of
A-1
equity
units
outstanding
  Number of
A-2
equity
units
  Percent of
A-2
equity
units
outstanding
  Number of
BOE
Preferred
equity
units
  Percent of
BOE
Preferred
equity
units
outstanding
  Percent of
total
equity
units
outstanding(4)
 

Warburg Pincus Private Equity IX, L.P(1). 

    58,970,000     98.46 %           86,547,514     97.26 %   77.05 %

Warburg Pincus Private Equity X O&G, L.P(1). 

            39,370,002     98.47 %           20.84 %

Randy A. Foutch(2)

    300,000     0.50 %   80,000     0.20 %   60,225     0.07 %   0.23 %

Jerry R. Schuyler

    120,000     0.20 %   26,667     0.07 %           0.08 %

W. Mark Womble

    60,000     0.10 %   20,000     0.05 %           0.04 %

Patrick J. Curth

    50,000     0.08 %   6,667     0.02 %           0.03 %

John E. Minton

    20,000     0.03 %   6,667     0.02 %           0.01 %

Peter R. Kagan(3)

                             

James R. Levy

                             

B.Z. (Bill) Parker

    50,000     0.08 %   33,333     0.08 %           0.04 %

Pamela S. Pierce

    60,000     0.10 %   40,000     0.10 %           0.05 %

Francis Rooney

            266,667     0.67 %           0.14 %

Edmund P. Segner, III

                             

Donald D. Wolf

            26,667     0.07 %           0.01 %

Directors and executive officers as a group (14 persons)

    680,000     1.14 %   513,335     1.28 %   60,225     0.07 %   0.66 %

(1)
The unitholders are Warburg Pincus Private Equity IX, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, together with affiliated partnerships ("WP IX"), and Warburg Pincus Private Equity X O&G, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, together with affiliated partnerships ("WP O&G"). The total number of units owned by Warburg Pincus Private Equity IX, L.P. includes 5,389,549 BOE Perferred units owned by WP IX Finance LP, an affiliated partnership, or 2.85% of the total equity units outstanding, and the total number of units owned by Warburg Pincus Private Equity X O&G, L.P. includes 1,220,471 A-2 units owned by Warburg Pincus X Partners, L.P., an affiliated partnership, or 0.65% of the total equity units outstanding. Warburg Pincus IX, LLC, a New York limited liability company ("WPIX LLC"), an indirect subsidiary of Warburg Pincus & Co., a New York general partnership ("WP"), is the general partner of WP IX. Warburg Pincus X, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ("WP X GP") is the general partner of the WP O&G. Warburg Pincus X, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("WP X LLC") is the general partner of WP X GP. Warburg Pincus Partners, LLC, a New York limited liability company ("WP Partners"), is the sole member of WPIX LLC and WP X LLC. WP is the managing member of WP Partners. Warburg Pincus LLC, a New York limited liability company ("WP LLC"), manages WP IX and WP O&G. The address of the Warburg Pincus entities is 450 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10017.

(2)
Randy A. Foutch, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the board is a limited partner of certain members of the Warburg Pincus Group.

(3)
Mr. Kagan, director of Laredo, is a partner of WP and a Managing Director and Member of WP LLC. Mr. Kagan may be deemed to have an indirect pecuniary interest (within the meaning of Rule 16a-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) in an indeterminate portion of the common stock owned by WP IX and WP O&G. Charles R. Kaye and Joseph P. Landy are Managing General Partners of WP and Managing Members and Co-Presidents of WP LLC and may be deemed to control the Warburg

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(4)
If the proposed initial public offering of LPH's common stock and corporate reorganization is consummated, LPH is expected to be owned approximately 80.5% by Warburg Pincus, 5.5% by our board of directors, management and employees and approximately 14.0% by public stockholders (assuming the midpoint of the offering price range set forth in the preliminary prospectus dated November 28, 2011 filed by LPH for the proposed initial public offering).

        The address for all officers and directors is c/o Laredo Petroleum, Inc., 15 W. Sixth Street, Suite 1800, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119.

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Acquisition of Broad Oak Energy, Inc.

        On July 1, 2011, we completed an acquisition of Broad Oak Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Broad Oak"), with Broad Oak becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of Laredo Inc., for a combination of equity and cash. Warburg Pincus Private Equity IX, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership and the owner of the majority of our equity, was a majority stockholder in Broad Oak and received approximately $611.2 million in the form of units in Laredo LLC in the transaction. We changed the name of Broad Oak to Laredo Petroleum-Dallas, Inc. on July 19, 2011.

Corporate Reorganization

        In connection with the potential initial public offering of LPH's common stock and a corporate reorganization, we will engage in certain transactions with certain affiliates and our existing equity holders. Please see "Potential Corporate Reorganization" for a description of these transactions.

Historical Transactions Relating to Laredo LLC

        To date, our equity investors, including members of our management team and our independent directors, have invested approximately $710 million in us. The limited liability company agreement of Laredo LLC was initially entered into on May 21, 2007 and amended and restated on each of October 15, 2008 and July 1, 2011 among Warburg Pincus and members of our management, directors and employees. Pursuant to the limited liability company agreement, Warburg Pincus, members of our management, our directors and employees purchased preferred units and profits units in Laredo LLC.

        Under the limited liability company agreement, if Laredo LLC proposes to issue certain additional equity securities, certain of the existing holders of Laredo LLC's units who are "accredited investors" under the Securities Act will have the right to purchase a pro rata amount of such securities. Certain of the units are subject to rights of first refusal held by certain members. In addition, if certain members seek to sell any units to a third party, such members must offer to include in such sale certain units held by other unit holders. In addition, the Warburg Pincus Group (comprising Warburg Pincus Private Equity IX, L.P., Warburg Pincus Private Equity X O&G, L.P. and their affiliates) has the right to require all holders of units to sell all of their units in certain sale transactions in accordance with the provisions of the limited liability company agreement.

        None of Laredo LLC's outstanding units are entitled to current cash distributions or are convertible into indebtedness. Although Laredo LLC is required to make distributions to cover any income taxes allocated to each unitholder, the unitholders have no other rights to cash distributions (except in the case of certain liquidation events). We do not anticipate making any such tax distributions in the foreseeable future.

        The limited liability company agreement of Laredo LLC provides that Laredo LLC's members will, upon the potential corporate reorganization, be entitled to certain demand and "piggyback" registration rights regarding the shares of common stock owned by them after the proposed initial public offering of LPH's common stock, if consummated. Under these registration rights, Warburg Pincus may require Laredo to file a registration statement for the public sale of their shares of common stock. In addition, any time LPH proposes to file a registration statement with respect to an offering of shares, each of the members who received shares of common stock in the corporate reorganization will have the right to include his, her or its shares in that offering. The underwriters of any underwritten offering will have the right to limit the number of shares of common stock to be included in such underwritten offering by such stockholders. We will pay all expenses relating to any demand or piggyback registration, except for underwriters' or brokers' commission or discounts. The shares of common stock owned by these stockholders will no longer have registration rights under the registration rights agreements to the

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extent they have been sold to the public either pursuant to a registration statement or under Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act or are otherwise eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act.

        Upon completion of our corporate reorganization to be completed simultaneously with, or prior to, the consummation of the potential initial public offering of LPH's common stock, the limited liability company agreement of Laredo LLC will no longer be in effect.

Gas Gathering and Processing Arrangement with Targa

        Laredo has a gas gathering and processing arrangement with affiliates of Targa Resources, Inc. ("Targa"). Warburg Pincus Private Equity IX, L.P., a majority equityholder in Laredo, and other Warburg Pincus affiliates hold investment interests in Targa. Mr. Kagan, one of our directors, is on the board of directors of affiliates of Targa. Our net oil and gas sales to Targa were approximately $55.1 million and $35.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and for the year ended December 31, 2010, respectively.

Other Related Party Transactions

        Our board of directors has adopted an aircraft use policy for our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Randy A. Foutch, whereby his personally owned aircraft can be used for Laredo business travel, subject to certain conditions. Mr. Foutch travels extensively for company business, often on short notice and to areas that have limited access to direct commercial flights, so our board of directors has determined that the use of Mr. Foutch's aircraft is an efficient and cost-effective option that is beneficial to us. On occasion, other Laredo Inc. employees fly with Mr. Foutch when convenient or necessary on these business trips at no extra cost to us. Mr. Foutch's aircraft is owned by a family limited partnership that he controls. Although Mr. Foutch is a fully qualified pilot with a single pilot rating and has flown his aircraft solo for business while working for other companies in the past, we believe it is in our best interest to require the presence of a fully-licensed and qualified co-pilot and certain specified safety and mechanical inspections to assure the airworthiness of the aircraft. The expenses covered by us consist of the salary of the co-pilot and his out-of-pocket expenses on business trips, the training and certification expenses of Mr. Foutch and the co-pilot, and the cost of aircraft safety and mechanical inspections. In addition, we reimburse Mr. Foutch for the use of this aircraft for company business in an amount equal to the cost of a first class commercial airline ticket to such destination or the cost of a charter flight if commercial flights are not available to such destination. During 2010, we incurred approximately $401,600 in expenses for business trips pursuant to this policy. These payments represent only a partial refund of the total costs and expenses of flying the aircraft, including the additional fixed costs required to be incurred under the policy, and as a result Mr. Foutch incurs a loss each year on the aircraft. All amounts reimbursed to Mr. Foutch are approved by our Chief Financial Officer in accordance with the board approved policy.

Procedures for Approval of Related Party Transactions

        Our board of directors will adopt a written related party transactions policy prior to the completion of the potential initial public offering of LPH's common stock. Pursuant to this policy, the audit committee will review all material facts of all related party transactions and either approve or disapprove entry into the related party transaction, subject to certain limited exceptions. In determining whether to approve or disapprove entry into a related party transaction, the audit committee shall take into account, among other factors, the following: (1) whether the related party transaction is on terms no less favorable than terms generally available to an unaffiliated third-party under the same or similar circumstances and (2) the extent of the related person's interest in the transaction. Further, the policy will require that all related party transactions required to be disclosed in our filings with the SEC be so disclosed in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations. A copy of the policy will be available on our website at www.laredopetro.com prior to or upon completion of the potential initial public offering of LPH's common stock, if consummated. Information on our website or any other website is not incorporated by reference into, and does not constitute part of, this prospectus.

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POTENTIAL CORPORATE REORGANIZATION

        LPH is a Delaware corporation that was formed for the purpose of an initial public offering of its common stock. Pursuant to the terms of a corporate reorganization that will be completed concurrently with, or prior to, the closing of the initial public offering of LPH's common stock, LPH will merge with Laredo LLC, with LPH being the surviving entity. LPH will become a guarantor of the notes immediately prior to the corporate reorganization, if consummated. The proposed corporate reorganization will not be a change of control event under the terms of the indenture that governs the notes.

        All of the outstanding preferred equity units of Laredo LLC will be exchanged for shares of LPH common stock in accordance with the limited liability company agreement of Laredo LLC. In addition, under the Laredo LLC limited liability company agreement and the restricted unit agreements, certain series of Laredo LLC incentive equity units will also be exchanged into LPH common stock, depending upon the initial public offering price of the common stock in the initial public offering of LPH's common stock. To the extent any of such incentive units are subject to vesting requirements, the common stock issuable in exchange therefor will also be subject to such requirements.

Ownership structure immediately after giving effect to the proposed initial public offering of LPH's common stock, if consummated

        The following diagram depicts our expected ownership structure after giving effect to our proposed corporate reorganization and the initial public offering of LPH's common stock based on the midpoint of the offering price range set forth in the preliminary prospectus dated November 28, 2011 filed by LPH for the proposed initial public offering.

GRAPHIC


(1)
Including former Broad Oak management, directors and employees.

        If the potential initial public offering of LPH's common stock and the corporate reorganization are completed, the former holders of units in Laredo LLC are expected to own an aggregate of approximately 86% of LPH's common stock (based upon the midpoint of the offering price range set forth in the preliminary prospectus dated November 28, 2011 filed by LPH for the proposed initial public offering). Forms of Laredo Inc.'s amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws as will be in effect if the public offering and corporate reorganization are completed have been filed with the SEC as exhibits to the Form S-1 relating to the proposed initial public offering.

        We refer to (i) the potential merger of LPH and Laredo LLC, (ii) the potential exchange of all of the outstanding preferred equity units and certain series of incentive equity units of Laredo LLC into shares of LPH's common stock in accordance with the limited liability company agreement of Laredo LLC and (iii) the potential consummation of the other related transactions collectively as our "corporate reorganization." There can be no assurance that the initial public offering of LPH's common stock will be consummated or the corporate reorganization will be effected as proposed.

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DESCRIPTION OF OTHER INDEBTEDNESS

Senior Secured Credit Facility

        Laredo Inc. is the borrower under our third amended and restated revolving credit facility, as amended ("senior secured credit facility"), with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. as the administrative agent. At November 25, 2011, we had outstanding borrowings of $375 million under our senior secured credit facility, which were subject to an average interest rate of approximately 2.25%. Additionally, our senior secured credit facility provides for the issuance of letters of credit, limited in the aggregate to the lesser of $20 million and the total availability thereunder. At November 25, 2011, we had letters of credit totaling $25 thousand issued but undrawn.

        The borrowing base under our senior secured credit facility is redetermined semi-annually on May 1 and November 1 of each year by the lenders, based on, among other things, the financial institutions' evaluation of our oil and natural gas reserves. As of November 25, 2011, our senior secured credit facility had a borrowing base of $712.5 million. The next redetermination of our borrowing base is scheduled for May 1, 2012.

        Our obligations under our senior secured credit facility are secured by a first priority lien on substantially all oil and natural gas properties of Laredo LLC and its subsidiaries (including Laredo Inc. but excluding LPH) as well as a first priority pledge on all ownership interests in Laredo Inc. and its existing and future subsidiaries. Our obligations under the senior secured credit facility are guaranteed by Laredo LLC and all of Laredo Inc.'s subsidiaries and may be guaranteed by any future subsidiaries. LPH currently has no material assets or liabilities but if an initial public offering of LPH's common stock and related corporate reorganization occur as described herein, LPH will become a guarantor of the senior secured credit facility as well as the notes.

        We have a choice of borrowing at an Adjusted Base Rate or in Eurodollars. Adjusted Base Rate loans will bear interest at the Adjusted Base Rate plus an applicable margin between 0.75% and 1.75% and Eurodollar loans will bear interest at the adjusted LIBOR rate plus an applicable margin between 1.75% and 2.75%. We are also required to pay an annual commitment fee on the unused portion of each bank's commitment of ranging from 0.375% to 0.5%.

        Our senior secured credit facility contains various covenants that limit our ability to, among other things, incur indebtedness, make restricted payments, grant liens, consolidate or merge, dispose of certain assets, make certain investments, engage in transactions with affiliates and hedge transactions and make certain acquisitions.

        Our senior secured credit facility also requires us to maintain the following financial ratios for Laredo and its consolidated subs level: (a) consolidated current assets to consolidated current liabilities of not less than 1.00 to 1.00 and (b) consolidated EBITDAX to the sum of (i) consolidated net interest expense plus (ii) letter of credit fees of not less than 2.50 to 1.00.

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DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES

        We will issue the new notes, and we issued the old notes, under an indenture dated as of January 20, 2011 (the "Indenture"), among us, the Parent Guarantor, the Subsidiary Guarantors and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the "Trustee"). On January 20, 2011, we issued $350 million principal amount of notes under the Indenture and on October 19, 2011 we issued an additional $200 million principal amount of notes under the Indenture. References to the "notes" in this "Description of the Notes" include both the outstanding old notes and the new notes offered hereby unless otherwise indicated. References in this "Description of the Notes" to "Issue Date" mean January 20, 2011, the date on which the initial old notes were issued. The terms of the notes include those expressly set forth in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act"). The Indenture is unlimited in aggregate principal amount. We may issue an unlimited principal amount of additional notes having identical terms and conditions as the notes (the "Additional Notes"). We will only be permitted to issue such Additional Notes in compliance with the covenant described under the subheading "—Certain Covenants—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock." Any Additional Notes will be part of the same series as the notes that will vote on all matters with the holders of the notes. Unless the context otherwise requires, for all purposes of the Indenture and this "Description of the Notes," references to the notes include the new notes and the old notes and any Additional Notes actually issued.

        This "Description of the Notes" is intended to be a useful overview of the material provisions of the notes and the Indenture. Since this description is only a summary, you should refer to these documents for a complete description of the obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors and your rights. A copy of the Indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which the prospectus is a part.

        You will find the definitions of capitalized terms used in this "Description of the Notes" under the heading "—Certain Definitions." For purposes of this description, references to "the Company," "the Issuer," "we," "our" and "us" refer only to Laredo Inc., the issuer of the notes, and references to "the Parent Guarantor" refer only to Laredo LLC or, if the corporate reorganization is consummated, LPH and not to any of its subsidiaries.

        The registered holder of a new note will be treated as the owner of it for all purposes. Only registered holders of the notes have rights under the Indenture, and all references to "holders" in this description are to registered holders of the notes.

        If the exchange offer contemplated by this prospectus is consummated, holders of old notes who do not exchange those notes for new notes in the exchange offer will vote together with holders of new notes for all relevant purposes under the Indenture. In that regard, the Indenture requires that certain actions by the holders thereunder must be taken, and certain rights must be exercised, by specified minimum percentages of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding securities issued under the Indenture. In determining whether holders of the requisite percentage in principal amount have given any notice, consent or waiver or taken any other action permitted under the Indenture, any old notes that remain outstanding after the exchange offer will be aggregated with the new notes, and the holders of such old notes and the new notes will vote together as a single class for all such purposes. Accordingly, all references herein to specified percentages in aggregate principal amount of the notes outstanding shall be deemed to mean, at any time after the exchange offer is consummated, such percentages in aggregate principal amount of the old notes and the new notes then outstanding.

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Brief Description of the Notes and the Guarantees

The Notes

        The notes:

The Guarantees

        Each guarantee of the notes:

        The notes will be effectively junior in right of payment to all of the Company's and the Guarantors' existing and future secured indebtedness, including debt under the Senior Credit Agreement, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. The notes will be structurally subordinated to any existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities, including claims of trade creditors, of any Subsidiary of the Company that does not guarantee the notes. In the event of a bankruptcy, administrative receivership, composition, insolvency, liquidation or reorganization of any of the non-guarantor Subsidiaries, such Subsidiaries will pay the holders of their liabilities, including trade payables, before they will be able to distribute any of their assets to the Company or a Guarantor. As of September 30, 2011, on a pro forma basis as adjusted after giving effect the offering of $200 million of the old notes on October 19, 2011 and the application of the net proceeds therefrom, the Company and the Guarantors would have had approximately $325 million of secured indebtedness outstanding and would have been able to draw up to approximately $325 million of additional secured debt under the Senior Credit Agreement. The Indenture permits the Company and the Guarantors to incur additional Indebtedness, including secured Indebtedness.

Principal, Maturity and Interest

        The new notes will mature on February 15, 2019, will be limited to an aggregate principal amount to $550 million and will be unsecured senior obligations of the Company. The Indenture provides for the issuance of an unlimited amount of Additional Notes having identical terms and conditions to the new notes offered hereby (in all respects other than at the option of the Company as to the payment of interest accruing prior to the issue date of such Additional Notes or as to the first payment of interest following the issue date of such Additional Notes), subject to compliance with the covenants contained in the Indenture. Such Additional Notes shall be consolidated and form a single series with the notes and have the same terms as to status, redemption or otherwise as the notes. For purposes of this "Description of the Notes," reference to the notes includes Additional Notes unless otherwise indicated. There can be no assurance as to when or whether the Company will issue any such Additional Notes or as to the aggregate principal amount of such Additional Notes.

        Interest on the notes will accrue at the rate of 91/2% per annum and will be payable semiannually in cash on each February 15 and August 15, commencing on the first such date next following the date on which the exchange offer is consummated, to the Holders (as defined below) of record on the

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immediately preceding February 1 and August 1, as the case may be. Interest on the notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the Issue Date. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprising twelve 30-day months.

        If an interest payment date falls on a day that is not a business day, the interest payment to be made on such interest payment date will be made, without penalty, on the next succeeding business day with the same force and effect as if made on such interest payment date.

        Any additional interest due will be paid on the same dates as interest on the notes. The new notes issued in exchange for the old notes pursuant to the exchange offer will be considered part of the same series of notes, and all references herein to "notes" include the new notes unless otherwise indicated.

        The principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the notes will be payable and the notes will be exchangeable and transferable, at the office or agency of the paying agent and registrar maintained for such purposes or, at the option of the Company, payment of interest may be paid by check mailed to the address of the person entitled thereto as such address appears in the security register of Holders. The Company may change the paying agent and registrar without notice to the Holders. The registered holder of any note (a "Holder") will be treated as the owner for all purposes. Only registered Holders have rights under the Indenture. The notes will be issued only in registered form without coupons and only in denominations of $2,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange or redemption of notes, but the Company may require payment in certain circumstances of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection therewith.

        The old notes, the new notes and any Additional Notes will be treated as a single class of securities under the Indenture, including, without limitation, for purposes of waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase.

        The notes will not be entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund.

Guarantees

        Each of (a) the Parent Guarantor and (b) the Parent Guarantor's existing direct and indirect domestic Restricted Subsidiaries (other than LPH) is a Guarantor. The payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the notes, when and as the same become due and payable, are guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior unsecured basis (the "Guarantees") by the Guarantors. In addition, if (a) any Person becomes a direct or indirect domestic Restricted Subsidiary, (b) any Unrestricted Subsidiary is redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary, or (c) any other Restricted Subsidiary of the Parent Guarantor issues or guarantees any Indebtedness and, in the case of (a), (b) or (c), such Restricted Subsidiary is or becomes a guarantor or obligor in respect of any Indebtedness of the Parent Guarantor, the Company or any of the direct or indirect domestic Restricted Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $5 million, the Parent Guarantor shall cause each such Restricted Subsidiary to enter into a supplemental indenture pursuant to which such Restricted Subsidiary shall agree to guarantee the Company's obligations under the notes jointly and severally with any other Guarantors, fully and unconditionally, on a senior unsecured basis. See "—Certain Covenants—Issuances of Guarantees by Restricted Subsidiaries." Non-Guarantor Restricted Subsidiaries and Foreign Subsidiaries will not be required to issue a Guarantee under certain circumstances as described under "—Certain Covenants—Issuances of Guarantees by Restricted Subsidiaries." As of the date of this prospectus, the Parent Guarantor has no Foreign Subsidiaries and no Non-Guarantor Restricted Subsidiaries (other than LPH). The Guarantors as of the date of this prospectus are the Parent Guarantor, Laredo Petroleum—Dallas, Inc., Laredo Petroleum Texas, LLC and Laredo Gas Services, LLC. LPH currently has no material assets or liabilities and is not currently a guarantor of the notes or a guarantor or a guarantor of the senior secured credit facility. If the corporate reorganization described herein is consummated, immediately prior thereto LPH will become

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a guarantor of the notes and thereupon Laredo LLC will merge into LPH, with LPH being the surviving entity and thereby becoming the Parent Guarantor.

        The obligations of each Guarantor under its Guarantee are limited to the maximum amount which, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor, and after giving effect to any collections from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under its Guarantee or pursuant to its contribution obligations under the Indenture, will result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under Federal or state law. See "Risk Factors—Federal and state fraudulent transfer laws may permit a court to void the notes and the guarantees, subordinate claims in respect of the notes and the guarantees and require noteholders to return payments received and, if that occurs, you may not receive any payments on the notes." Each Guarantor that makes a payment or distribution under its Guarantee will be entitled to a contribution from any other Guarantor in a pro rata amount based on the adjusted net assets of each Guarantor determined in accordance with GAAP.

        Each Subsidiary Guarantor may consolidate with or merge into or sell its assets to the Parent Guarantor, the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary that is a Subsidiary Guarantor without limitation, or with or to other Persons upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture. See "—Certain Covenants—Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets."

        The Guarantee of a Subsidiary Guarantor will be released automatically:

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provided that any such release and discharge pursuant to clauses (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6) and (7) above shall occur only to the extent that all obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under all of its guarantees of, and under all of its pledges of assets or other security interests which secure any, Indebtedness of the Parent Guarantor, the Company and the domestic Restricted Subsidiaries (other than the notes) having an aggregate principal amount in excess of $5 million shall also terminate at such time.

        The Parent Guarantor will be released from its obligations under the Indenture and its Guarantee only if legal or covenant defeasance of the notes has been effected or the notes are discharged in accordance with the procedures described below under "—Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance of Indenture" or "—Satisfaction and Discharge."

Optional Redemption

        On or after February 15, 2015, the Company may redeem all or a portion of the notes, on not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' prior notice, in amounts of $2,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof at the following redemption prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount), plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon, to the applicable redemption date (subject to the rights of Holders of record on relevant record dates to receive interest due on an interest payment date), if redeemed during the twelve month period beginning on February 15th of the years indicated below:

Year
  Redemption Price  

2015

    104.750 %

2016

    102.375 %

2017 and thereafter

    100.000 %

        In addition, at any time and from time to time prior to February 15, 2014, the Company may use the net proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings to redeem up to an aggregate of 35% of the aggregate principal amount of notes issued under the Indenture (including the principal amount of any Additional Notes issued under the Indenture) at a redemption price equal to 109.500% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the rights of Holders of record on relevant record dates to receive interest due on an interest payment date). At least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of notes (including the principal amount of any Additional Notes issued under the Indenture) must remain outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption. In order to effect this redemption, the Company must complete such redemption no later than 180 days after the closing of the related Equity Offering. Notice of any redemption pursuant to this paragraph may be given prior to the completion of the applicable Equity Offering, and any such redemption or notice may at the Company's discretion be subject to one or more conditions precedent including but not limited to completion of such Equity Offering. If any such conditions do not occur, the Company will provide prompt written notice to the Trustee rescinding such redemption, and such redemption and notice of redemption shall be rescinded and of no force or effect. Upon receipt of such notice, the Trustee will promptly send a copy of such notice to the Holders of the notes to be redeemed in the same manner in which the notice of redemption was given.

        The notes may also be redeemed, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time prior to February 15, 2015 at the option of the Company at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, to, the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date).

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        "Applicable Premium" means, with respect to any note on any applicable redemption date, the greater of: (1) 1.0% of the principal amount of such note; and (2) the excess, if any, of: (a) the present value at such redemption date of (i) the redemption price of such note at February 15, 2015 (such redemption price being set forth in the table appearing above) plus (ii) all required interest payments (excluding accrued and unpaid interest to such redemption date) due on such note through February 15, 2015, computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such redemption date plus 50 basis points; over (b) the principal amount of such note.

        "Treasury Rate" means, as of any redemption date, the weekly average yield to maturity at the time of computation of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) which has become publicly available at least two business days prior to the redemption date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) equal to the period from the redemption date to February 15, 2015; provided, however, that if the period from the redemption date to February 15, 2015 is not equal to the constant maturity of a United States Treasury security for which a weekly average yield is given, the Treasury Rate shall be obtained by linear interpolation (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a year) from the weekly average yields of United States Treasury securities that have a constant maturity closest to and greater than the period from the redemption date to February 15, 2015 and the United States Treasury securities that have a constant maturity closest to and less than the period from the redemption date to February 15, 2015 for which such yields are given, except that if the period from the redemption date to February 15, 2015 is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year shall be used. The Company will (1) calculate the Treasury Rate on the third business day preceding the applicable redemption date and (2) prior to such redemption date, deliver to the Trustee an officers' certificate setting forth the Applicable Premium and the Treasury Rate and showing the calculation of each in reasonable detail.

        Notices of optional redemption will be mailed by first class mail at least 30 but no more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder of notes to be redeemed at its registered address, except that optional redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date in connection with a legal or covenant defeasance of the notes or a satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture.

        If less than all of the notes are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select the notes to be redeemed in compliance with the requirements of the principal national security exchange, if any, on which the notes are listed, or if the notes are not listed, on a pro rata basis (or in the case of Global Notes (as defined below), on as nearly a pro rata basis as is practicable, subject to the procedures of DTC or any other depositary), by lot or by any other method the Trustee shall deem fair and reasonable. notes redeemed in part must be redeemed only in amounts of $2,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof (subject to the procedures of DTC or any other depositary). Redemption pursuant to the provisions relating to an Equity Offering must be made on a pro rata basis or on as nearly a pro rata basis as practicable (subject to the procedures of DTC or any other depositary).

        If any note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to that note will state the principal amount of that note that is to be redeemed. A replacement note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the old note will be issued in the name of the Holder upon cancellation of the original note. Notes called for redemption become due on the date fixed for redemption. On and after the redemption date, interest ceases to accrue on notes or portions of notes called for redemption.

        The notice of redemption with respect to the redemption described in the third paragraph under this "—Optional Redemption" need not set forth the Applicable Premium but only the manner of calculation thereof. The Company will notify the Trustee of the Applicable Premium with respect to

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any redemption promptly after the calculation, and the Trustee shall not be responsible for such calculation. Any redemption or notice of redemption may, at the Company's discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent and, in the case of redemption with the net proceeds of an Equity Offering, be given prior to the completion of the related Equity Offering.

        In addition to the Company's right to redeem the notes as set forth above, the Company or its affiliates may from time to time purchase the notes in open-market transactions, privately negotiated transactions, tender offers, exchange offers or otherwise, upon such terms and at such prices as the Company or its affiliates may determine, which may be more or less than the consideration for which the notes offered hereby are being sold and could be for cash or other consideration.

Mandatory Redemption

        The Company is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the notes.

Change of Control

        If a Change of Control occurs, each Holder will have the right to require that the Company purchase all or any part (in amounts of $2,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof) of such Holder's notes pursuant to the offer described below (the "Change of Control Offer"). In the Change of Control Offer, the Company will offer to purchase all of the notes, at a purchase price (the "Change of Control Purchase Price") in cash in an amount equal to 101% of the principal amount of such notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase (the "Change of Control Purchase Date") (subject to the rights of Holders of record on relevant record dates to receive interest due on an interest payment date).

        Within 30 days after any Change of Control or, at the Company's option, prior to such Change of Control but after it is publicly announced, the Company must notify the Trustee and give written notice of the Change of Control to each Holder, by first class mail, postage prepaid, at his address appearing in the security register or otherwise in accordance with the procedures of DTC. The notice must state, among other things,

        Holders electing to have a note purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will be required to surrender the note to the paying agent for the notes at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the third business day prior to the Change of Control Purchase Date. If the Change of Control Purchase Date is on or after an interest record date and on or before the related

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interest payment date, any accrued and unpaid interest will be paid to the Holder of record at the close of business on the record date, and no additional interest will be payable to Holders who tender pursuant to the Change of Control Offer.

        Any Change of Control Offer that is made prior to the occurrence of a Change of Control may at the Company's discretion be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including but not limited to the occurrence of a Change of Control.

        If a Change of Control Offer is made, the Company may not have available funds sufficient to pay the Change of Control Purchase Price for all of the notes that might be delivered by Holders seeking to accept the Change of Control Offer. The failure of the Company to make or consummate the Change of Control Offer or pay the Change of Control Purchase Price when due may give the Trustee and the Holders rights described under "—Events of Default."

        The Senior Credit Agreement provides that certain change-of-control events with respect to the Company would constitute a default thereunder, which could obligate the Company to repay amounts outstanding under such indebtedness upon an acceleration of the Indebtedness issued thereunder. A default under the Senior Credit Agreement would result in a default under the Indenture if the lenders holding a certain percentage of the commitments thereunder accelerate the debt under the Senior Credit Agreement. Any future credit agreements or agreements relating to other indebtedness to which the Parent Guarantor or the Company becomes a party may contain similar restrictions and provisions. In the event a Change of Control occurs at a time when the Company is prohibited from purchasing notes, the Company could seek the consent of the lenders holding a certain percentage of the commitments thereunder under those agreements to the purchase of the notes or could attempt to refinance the borrowings that contain such prohibition. If the Company does not obtain such a consent or repay such borrowings, the Company will remain prohibited from purchasing notes. In such case, the Company's purchase of tendered notes may result in an Event of Default under the Indenture if the lenders under the Senior Credit Agreement accelerate Indebtedness under the Senior Credit Agreement in an aggregate principal amount in excess of $20 million. See "Risk Factors—We may not be able to repurchase the notes in certain circumstances."

        The definition of Change of Control includes a phrase relating to the sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of "all or substantially all" of the assets of the Company. The term "all or substantially all" as used in the definition of Change of Control has not been interpreted under New York law (which is the governing law of the Indenture) to represent a specific quantitative test. Therefore, if Holders elected to exercise their rights under the Indenture and the Company elected to contest such election, it is not clear how a court interpreting New York law would interpret the phrase. In addition, Holders may not be entitled to require the Company to repurchase their notes in certain circumstances involving a significant change in the composition of the Board of Directors of the Company, including in connection with a proxy contest, where the Company's Board of Directors does not endorse a dissident slate of directors but approves them for purposes of the Indenture. You should note, however, that recent case law suggests that, in the event incumbent directors are replaced as a result of a contested election, the Company may nevertheless avoid triggering a Change of Control if the outgoing directors were to approve the new directors for purposes of such Change of Control clause.

        The existence of a Holder's right to require the Company to repurchase such Holder's notes upon a Change of Control may deter a third party from acquiring the Parent Guarantor or the Company in a transaction which constitutes a Change of Control.

        The provisions of the Indenture do not afford Holders the right to require the Company to repurchase the notes in the event of a highly leveraged transaction or certain transactions with management or affiliates of the Parent Guarantor or the Company, including a reorganization, restructuring, merger or similar transaction (including, in certain circumstances, an acquisition of the

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Company by management or its affiliates) involving the Parent Guarantor or the Company that may adversely affect Holders, if such transaction is not a transaction defined as a Change of Control. A transaction involving the management or affiliates of the Parent Guarantor or the Company, or a transaction involving a recapitalization of the Parent Guarantor or the Company, will result in a Change of Control if it is the type of transaction specified by such definition.

        The Company will comply with the applicable tender offer rules, including Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act, and any other applicable securities laws or regulations in connection with a Change of Control Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the "Change of Control" provisions of the Indenture, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under the "Change of Control" provisions of the Indenture by virtue thereof.

        The Company will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer (1) upon a Change of Control, if the Parent Guarantor or a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements described in the Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Company and purchases all notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer or (2) if notice of redemption for 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes has been given pursuant to the Indenture as described under "—Optional Redemption," unless and until there is a default in payment of the applicable redemption price.

        In the event that upon consummation of a Change of Control Offer less than 10% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes (including Additional Notes) that were originally issued are held by Holders other than the Company or Affiliates thereof, the Company will have the right, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' prior notice, given not more than 30 days following the purchase pursuant to the Change of Control Offer described above, to redeem all of the notes that remain outstanding following such purchase at a redemption price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to the date of redemption, subject to the right of the Holders of record on relevant record dates to receive interest due on an interest payment date.

        The provisions under the Indenture relative to the Company's obligation to make an offer to repurchase the notes as a result of a Change of Control may be waived or modified or terminated with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the notes then outstanding (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for the notes) prior to the occurrence of such Change of Control.

Certain Covenants

Covenant Suspension

        If at any time (1) the notes are rated at least Baa3 by Moody's and at least BBB- by S&P (or, if either such entity ceases to rate the notes for reasons outside of the control of the Parent Guarantor, at least the equivalent investment grade credit rating from any other "nationally recognized statistical rating organization" within the meaning of Rule 15c3-1(c)(2)(vi)(F) under the Exchange Act selected by the Parent Guarantor as a replacement agency); and (2) at such time no Event of Default shall have occurred and is continuing then, beginning on that day and subject to the provisions of the following paragraph, the covenants specifically listed under the following captions in this prospectus (the "Suspended Covenants") will be suspended:

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        During any period that the foregoing covenants have been suspended (each such period, a "Suspension Period"), the Parent Guarantor's Board of Directors may not designate any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries pursuant to the covenant described under "—Unrestricted Subsidiaries."

        Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the rating assigned by either such rating agency should subsequently decline to below Baa3 or BBB-, respectively, the foregoing covenants will be reinstituted as of and from the date of such rating decline (such date, a "Reversion Date").

        For purposes of calculating the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under clause (a)(3) of the first paragraph of the covenant described under "—Restricted Payments," calculations under that clause will be made with reference to the date of the Restricted Payment, as set forth in that clause. Accordingly (x) Restricted Payments made during the Suspension Period that would not otherwise be permitted pursuant to any of clauses (b)(1) through (b)(14) of the covenant described under "—Restricted Payments" will reduce the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under clause (a)(3) of the first paragraph of such covenant; provided, however, that the amount available to be made as a Restricted Payment shall not be reduced to below zero solely as a result of such Restricted Payments but may be reduced to below zero as a result of negative cumulative Consolidated Net Income during the Suspension Period for purposes of clause (a)(3)(A) of such covenant and (y) the items specified in clauses (a)(3)(A) through (F) of such covenant that occur during the Suspension Period will increase the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under clause (a)(3) of such covenant. For purposes of the covenant described under "—Asset Sales," on each Reversion Date, the unutilized Excess Proceeds will be reset to zero. No Default or Event of Default will be deemed to have occurred or exist on the Reversion Date (or thereafter) under any Suspended Covenant, solely as a result of, or as a result of the continued existence on or after the Reversion Date of facts and circumstances arising from, any actions taken by the Parent Guarantor, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiaries thereof, or events occurring, or performance on or after the Reversion Date of any obligations arising from transactions which occurred, during the Suspension Period.

        The Indenture contains covenants including, among others, the following:

Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock

        (a)   The Parent Guarantor will not, and will not cause or permit the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to, create, issue, incur, assume, guarantee or otherwise in any manner become directly or indirectly liable for the payment of or otherwise incur, contingently or otherwise (collectively, "incur"), any Indebtedness (including any Acquired Debt and the issuance of Disqualified Stock or the issuance of Preferred Stock by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary), unless such Indebtedness is incurred by

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the Parent Guarantor, the Company or any Guarantor and, in each case, after giving pro forma effect to such incurrence and the receipt and application of the proceeds therefrom, the Parent Guarantor's Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the most recent four full fiscal quarters for which financial statements are available immediately preceding the incurrence of such Indebtedness taken as one period would be equal to or greater than 2.25 to 1.0.

        (b)   Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Parent Guarantor, the Company and, to the extent specifically set forth below, the Restricted Subsidiaries may incur each and all of the following (collectively, "Permitted Debt"):

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        For purposes of determining compliance with this covenant, in the event that an item of Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of "Permitted Debt" or is permitted to be incurred pursuant to the first paragraph of this covenant, the Company in its sole discretion may classify or reclassify (or later classify or reclassify) in whole or in part such item of Indebtedness in any manner (including by dividing and classifying such item of Indebtedness in more than one type of Indebtedness permitted under this covenant) that complies with this covenant; provided that Indebtedness under the Senior Credit Agreement, if any, which is in existence on the Issue Date shall be considered incurred under clause (1) of the second paragraph of this covenant, subject to any subsequent classification or reclassification or division permitted pursuant to this paragraph.

        Indebtedness permitted by this covenant need not be permitted solely by reference to one provision permitting such Indebtedness but may be permitted in part by one such provision and in part by one or more other provisions of this covenant permitting such Indebtedness.

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        Accrual of interest, accretion or amortization of original issue discount or accretion of principal as to a security issued at a discount and the payment of interest on any Indebtedness in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms, the accretion or payment of dividends on any Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock in the form of additional shares of the same class of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, the obligation to pay a premium in respect of Indebtedness arising in connection with the issuance of a notice of redemption or making of a mandatory offer to purchase such Indebtedness, and unrealized losses or charges in respect of Hedging Obligations (including those resulting from the application of ASC 815), each will not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness for purposes of this covenant; provided, in each such case, that the amount thereof as accrued shall be included as required in the calculation of the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Parent Guarantor.

        For purposes of determining compliance with any U.S. dollar denominated restriction on the incurrence of Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency, the U.S. dollar equivalent principal amount of such Indebtedness incurred pursuant thereto shall be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date that such Indebtedness was incurred, in the case of term Indebtedness, or first committed, in the case of revolving credit Indebtedness; provided that if such Indebtedness is incurred to refinance other Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency, and such refinancing would cause the applicable U.S. dollar denominated restriction to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such refinancing, such U.S. dollar denominated restriction shall be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of such refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of such Indebtedness being refinanced. Notwithstanding any other provision of this covenant, the maximum amount of Indebtedness that the Parent Guarantor, the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries may incur pursuant to this covenant shall not be deemed to be exceeded solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rates of currencies. The principal amount of any Indebtedness incurred to refinance other Indebtedness, if incurred in a different currency from the Indebtedness being refinanced, shall be calculated based on the currency exchange rate applicable to the currencies in which such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is denominated that is in effect on the date of such refinancing.

        For purposes of determining any particular amount of Indebtedness under this covenant, (i) guarantees of, or obligations in respect of letters of credit relating to, Indebtedness otherwise included in the determination of such amount shall not also be included and (ii) if obligations in respect of letters of credit are incurred pursuant to a Credit Facility and are being treated as incurred pursuant to clause (1) of the definition of "Permitted Debt" and the letters of credit relate to other Indebtedness, then such other Indebtedness shall not be included. If Indebtedness is secured by a letter of credit that serves only to secure such Indebtedness, then the total amount deemed incurred shall be equal to the greater of (x) the principal of such Indebtedness and (y) the amount that may be drawn under such letter of credit.

        For purposes of the Indenture, no Indebtedness will be deemed to be subordinate or junior in right of payment to other Indebtedness solely by virtue of not having the benefit of a Lien on assets, or guarantee of a Person, that benefits the other Indebtedness or having the benefit of such a Lien or guarantee ranking subordinate or junior to a Lien or guarantee benefiting the other Indebtedness.

Restricted Payments

        (a)   The Parent Guarantor, will not, and will not cause or permit the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly:

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(any of the foregoing actions described in clauses (1) through (5) above, other than any such action that is a Permitted Payment (as defined below), collectively, "Restricted Payments") (the amount of any such Restricted Payment, if other than cash, shall be the Fair Market Value of the assets proposed to be transferred, as determined by the Board of Directors of the Parent Guarantor, whose determination shall be conclusive and evidenced by a board resolution), unless

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        (b)   Notwithstanding the foregoing, and in the case of clauses (2) through (9) and (11) through (14) below, so long as no Default or Event of Default is continuing or would arise therefrom, the foregoing provisions shall not prohibit the following actions (each of clauses (1) through (14), together

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with the transactions expressly excluded from clauses (1), (2), (3) and (4) of paragraph (a) of this covenant, being referred to as a "Permitted Payment"):

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        In determining whether any Restricted Payment (or payment or other transaction that, except for being a Permitted Payment, would constitute a Restricted Payment) is permitted by the foregoing covenant, the Company may allocate or re-allocate all or any portion of such Restricted Payment or other such transaction among clauses (1) through (14) of the preceding paragraph (b) or among such clauses and paragraph (a) of this covenant, including the second set of clauses (1), (2) and (3) thereof; provided that at the time of such allocation or re-allocation all such Restricted Payments and such other transactions or allocated portions thereof, all outstanding prior Restricted Payments and such other transactions, would be permitted under the various provisions of the foregoing covenant. The amount of all Restricted Payments and other such transactions (other than cash) shall be the Fair Market Value on the date of the transfer, incurrence or issuance of such non-cash Restricted Payment or other such transaction.

        A contribution or sale will be deemed to be "substantially concurrent" if the related purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance, satisfaction and discharge, retirement or other acquisition for value or payment of principal occurs within 90 days before or after such contribution or sale.

Transactions with Affiliates

        The Parent Guarantor will not, and will not cause or permit the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, enter into any Transaction (including, without limitation, the sale, purchase, exchange or lease of assets, property or services) with or for the benefit of any Affiliate of the Parent Guarantor (other than the Parent Guarantor, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) involving aggregate consideration in excess of $2 million, unless such Transaction is entered into in good faith and

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Liens

        The Parent Guarantor will not, and will not cause or permit the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create or incur, in order to secure any Indebtedness, any Lien of any kind, other than Permitted Liens, upon any property or assets (including any intercompany notes) of the Parent Guarantor, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary owned on the Issue Date or acquired after the Issue Date, or assign or convey, in order to secure any Indebtedness, any right to receive any income or profits therefrom, other than Permitted Liens, unless the notes (or a Guarantee in the case of Liens of a Guarantor) are directly secured equally and ratably with (or, in the case of Subordinated Indebtedness, prior or senior thereto, with the same relative priority as the notes shall have with respect to such Subordinated Indebtedness) the Indebtedness for so long as such Indebtedness is secured by such Lien.

        Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Lien securing the notes or a Guarantee granted pursuant to the immediately preceding paragraph shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon:

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Asset Sales

        (a)   The Parent Guarantor will not, and will not permit the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to, consummate any Asset Sale unless (i) the Parent Guarantor, the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, receives consideration at the time of such Asset Sale at least equal to the Fair Market Value of the assets and property subject to such Asset Sale (such Fair Market Value to be determined on the date of contractually agreeing to effect such Asset Sale) and (ii) (A) at least 75% of the consideration paid to the Parent Guarantor, the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from such Asset Sale and all other Asset Sales since the Issue Date, on a cumulative basis, is in the form of cash, Cash Equivalents, Liquid Securities, Exchanged Properties (including pursuant to Asset Swaps) or the assumption by the acquiring Person of Indebtedness or other liabilities of the Parent Guarantor, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary (other than liabilities of the Parent Guarantor, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary that are by their terms subordinated to the notes) as a result of which the Parent Guarantor, the Company and the remaining Restricted Subsidiaries are no longer liable for such liabilities (or in lieu of such absence of liability, the acquiring Person or its parent company agrees to indemnify and hold the Parent Guarantor, the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary harmless from and against any loss, liability or cost in respect of such assumed liabilities accompanied by the posting of a letter of credit (issued by a commercial bank that has an Investment Grade Rating) in favor of the Parent Guarantor, the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary for the full amount of such liabilities and for so long as such liabilities remain outstanding unless such indemnifying party (or its long term debt securities) shall have an Investment Grade Rating (with no indication of a negative outlook or credit watch with negative implications, in any case, that contemplates such indemnifying party (or its long term debt securities) failing to have an Investment Grade Rating) at the time the indemnity is entered into) ("Permitted Consideration") or (B) the Fair Market Value of all forms of such consideration other than Permitted Consideration since the Issue Date does not exceed in the aggregate 5% of the Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of the Parent Guarantor determined at the time such Asset Sale is made.

        (b)   During the 365 days after the receipt by the Parent Guarantor, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of Net Available Cash from an Asset Sale, such Net Available Cash may be applied by the Parent Guarantor, the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, to the extent the Parent Guarantor, the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary elects (or is required by the terms of any Pari Passu Indebtedness of the Parent Guarantor, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary), to:

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        The requirement of clause (b)(2) above shall be deemed to be satisfied if an agreement (including a lease, whether a capital lease or an operating lease) committing to make the acquisitions or investment referred to therein is entered into by the Parent Guarantor, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary within the time period specified in this paragraph (b) and such Net Available Cash is subsequently applied in accordance with such agreement within six months following such agreement.

        Pending the final application of any such Net Available Cash, the Company may temporarily reduce Indebtedness under any Credit Facility or otherwise expend or invest such Net Available Cash in any manner that is not prohibited by the Indenture.

        (c)   Any Net Available Cash from an Asset Sale not applied in accordance with paragraph (b) above within 365 days from the date of such Asset Sale shall constitute "Excess Proceeds." When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $25 million, the Company will be required to make an offer to purchase notes having an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds (the "Prepayment Offer") at a purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of such notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the Asset Sale Purchase Date (as defined in paragraph (d) below) in accordance with the procedures (including prorating in the event of over subscription) set forth in the Indenture, but, if the terms of any Pari Passu Indebtedness require that a Pari Passu Offer be made contemporaneously with the Prepayment Offer, then the Excess Proceeds shall be prorated between the Prepayment Offer and such Pari Passu Offer in accordance with the aggregate outstanding principal amounts of the notes and such Pari Passu Indebtedness (based on principal amounts of notes and Pari Passu Indebtedness (or, in the case of Pari Passu Indebtedness issued with significant original issue discount, based on the accreted value thereof) tendered), and the aggregate principal amount of notes for which the Prepayment Offer is made shall be reduced accordingly. If the aggregate principal amount of notes tendered by Holders thereof exceeds the amount of available Excess Proceeds, then such Excess Proceeds will be allocated pro rata according to the principal amount of the notes tendered and the Trustee will select the notes to be purchased in accordance with the Indenture and in minimum principal amount of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess of $2,000. To the extent that any portion of the amount of Excess Proceeds remains after compliance with the second sentence of this paragraph (c) and provided that all Holders of notes have been given the opportunity to tender their notes for purchase as described in paragraph (d) below in accordance with the Indenture, the Parent Guarantor, the Company or the Restricted Subsidiaries may use such remaining amount for purposes permitted by the Indenture and the amount of Excess Proceeds will be reset to zero. The Company may satisfy the foregoing obligation with respect to any Excess Proceeds by making a Prepayment Offer prior to the expiration of the relevant 365 day period or with respect to Excess Proceeds of $25 million or less.

        (d)   Within 30 days after the 365th day following the date of an Asset Sale, the Company shall, if it is obligated to make a Prepayment Offer pursuant to paragraph (c) above, send a written Prepayment Offer notice, by first class mail or otherwise in accordance with the procedures of DTC, to the Holders of the notes (the "Prepayment Offer Notice"), with a copy to the Trustee, accompanied by such information regarding the Company and its Subsidiaries as the Company believes will enable such Holders of the notes to make an informed decision with respect to the Prepayment Offer. The Prepayment Offer Notice will state, among other things:

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        (e)   The Company will comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations thereunder to the extent such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the purchase of notes as described above. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions relating to the Prepayment Offer, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations described above by virtue thereof.

        The provisions under the Indenture relative to the Company's obligation to make an offer to repurchase the notes as a result of an Asset Sale may be waived or modified with the written consent of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding notes (including Additional Notes) until the Prepayment Offer is required to be made.

        If the Asset Sale Purchase Date is on or after an interest record date and on or before the related interest payment date, any accrued and unpaid interest will be paid to the Holder of record as of the close of business on such interest record date, and no additional interest will be paid to the Holder who tenders notes pursuant to the Prepayment Offer.

Issuances of Guarantees by Restricted Subsidiaries

        The Parent Guarantor will provide to the Trustee, on or prior to the 30th day after the date that any Restricted Subsidiary (which is not a Guarantor) becomes a guarantor or obligor in respect of any Indebtedness of the Parent Guarantor, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $5 million, a supplemental indenture to the Indenture, executed by such Restricted Subsidiary, providing for a full and unconditional guarantee on a senior unsecured basis by such Restricted Subsidiary's obligations under the notes and the Indenture to the same extent as that set forth in the Indenture, subject to such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Guarantor when its Guarantee is released in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

        Notwithstanding the foregoing (i) no Foreign Subsidiary shall be required to execute any such supplemental indenture unless such Foreign Subsidiary has guaranteed (or is otherwise an obligor of) other Indebtedness (including Indebtedness under a Credit Facility) of the Parent Guarantor, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Foreign Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $5 million, and (ii) no Restricted Subsidiary shall be required to execute any such supplemental indenture if the Consolidated Net Worth of such Restricted Subsidiary, together with the Consolidated Net Worth of all other Non-Guarantor Restricted Subsidiaries, as of such date, does not exceed in the aggregate $5 million. To the extent the collective Consolidated Net Worth of the Parent Guarantor's Non-Guarantor Restricted Subsidiaries, as of the date of the creation of, acquisition of or Investment in a Non-Guarantor Restricted Subsidiary, exceeds $5 million, the Parent Guarantor shall cause, within 30 days after such date, one or more of such Non-Guarantor Restricted Subsidiaries to similarly execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture to the Indenture providing for a

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full and unconditional guarantee on a senior unsecured basis by such Restricted Subsidiary's obligations under the notes and the Indenture to the same extent as that set forth in the Indenture, such that the collective Consolidated Net Worth of all remaining Non-Guarantor Restricted Subsidiaries does not exceed $5 million.

Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries

        (a)   The Parent Guarantor will not, and will not cause or permit the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause to come into existence or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to:

        (b)   However, paragraph (a) above will not prohibit any encumbrance or restriction created, existing or becoming effective under or by reason of:

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Sale and Leaseback Transactions

        The Parent Guarantor will not, and will not permit the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction; provided, that the Parent Guarantor, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may enter into a Sale and Leaseback Transaction if:

Unrestricted Subsidiaries

        The Board of Directors of the Parent Guarantor may designate after the Issue Date any of its Subsidiaries (other than the Company) as an Unrestricted Subsidiary under the Indenture (a "Designation") only if:

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        In the event of any such Designation, the Parent Guarantor shall be deemed, for all purposes of the Indenture, to have made an Investment equal to the Designation Amount that, as designated by the Parent Guarantor, constitutes a Restricted Payment pursuant to paragraph (a) of the covenant described under "—Restricted Payments" or a Permitted Payment or Permitted Investment.

        The Indenture will also provide that the Parent Guarantor shall not and shall not cause or permit the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to at any time:

        For purposes of the foregoing, the Designation of a Subsidiary of the Parent Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be deemed to be the Designation of all of the Subsidiaries of such Subsidiary as Unrestricted Subsidiaries. Unless so designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, any Person that becomes a Subsidiary of the Parent Guarantor will be classified as a Restricted Subsidiary.

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        The Parent Guarantor may revoke any Designation of a Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary (a "Revocation") if:

        All Designations and Revocations must be evidenced by a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Parent Guarantor delivered to the Trustee certifying compliance with the foregoing provisions of this covenant.

Payments for Consent

        The Indenture provides that none of the Parent Guarantor, the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary will, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration, whether by way of interest, fee or otherwise, to any Holder of notes for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of the Indenture or the notes unless such consideration is offered to be paid or is paid to all Holders of notes that consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in the solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.

Reports

        The Indenture provides that, whether or not required by the rules and regulations of the Commission, so long as any notes are outstanding, the Parent Guarantor will furnish to Holders of notes or cause the Trustee to furnish to the Holders of notes or file with the Commission for public availability

provided, however, that, in the case of clause (1) or (2), if the last day of any such time period is not a business day, such information will be due on the next succeeding business day. All such information will be prepared in all material respects in accordance with all of the rules and regulations of the Commission applicable to such information.

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        If the Parent Guarantor has designated any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries (other than Unrestricted Subsidiaries that, when taken together with all other Unrestricted Subsidiaries, are "minor" within the meaning of Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X, substituting 5% for 3% where applicable), then the quarterly and annual financial information required by the preceding paragraphs will include a reasonably detailed presentation, either on the face of the financial statements or in the footnotes thereto, or in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, of the financial condition and results of operations of the Parent Guarantor, the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries of the Parent Guarantor.

        This covenant does not impose any duty on the Company or the Parent Guarantor under the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 and the related Commission rules that would not otherwise be applicable.

        The Parent Guarantor has agreed that, for so long as any of the notes remain outstanding and constitute "restricted securities" under Rule 144 and the Parent Guarantor is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, it will furnish to the Holders of the notes and to prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.

        The Parent Guarantor will be deemed to have furnished to the Holders and to prospective investors the information referred to in clauses (1) and (2) of the first paragraph of this covenant or the information referred to in the fourth paragraph of this covenant if the Parent Guarantor has posted such reports or information on the Parent Guarantor or Company Website with access to current and prospective investors. For purposes of this covenant, the term "Parent Guarantor or Company Website" means the collection of web pages that may be accessed on the World Wide Web using the URL address http://www.laredopetro.com or such other address as the Parent Guarantor may from time to time designate in writing to the Trustee. Information on such website shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

        Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only, and the Trustee's receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company's compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on officers' certificates).

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

        Neither the Parent Guarantor nor the Company will, in any Transaction, (x) consolidate with or merge with or into any other Person or (y) sell, assign, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person, or (in the case of clause (y)) permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to enter into any Transaction, if such Transaction, in the aggregate, would result in a sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease or disposition of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of (A) the Parent Guarantor, the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis to any other Person (other than the Company or one or more Restricted Subsidiaries) or of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries constituting Subsidiaries of the Company on a Consolidated basis to any other Person (other than one or more such Restricted Subsidiaries), unless at the time and after giving effect thereto:

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        Except for any Subsidiary Guarantor whose Guarantee is to be released in accordance with the Indenture in connection with a transaction complying with the provisions of the Indenture as provided under the fourth paragraph under "—Guarantees," each Subsidiary Guarantor will not, and the Parent Guarantor and the Company will not permit a Subsidiary Guarantor to, in a Transaction, (x) consolidate with or merge with or into any other Person (other than the Parent Guarantor, the Company or any other Subsidiary Guarantor) or (y) sell, assign, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person (other than the Parent Guarantor, the Company or any other Subsidiary Guarantor), unless at the time and after giving effect thereto:

provided that this paragraph shall not apply to any Subsidiary Guarantor whose Guarantee of the notes is unconditionally released and discharged in accordance with the Indenture.

        In the event of any Transaction described in and complying with the conditions listed in the two immediately preceding paragraphs in which the Company or any Guarantor, as the case may be, is not the continuing Person, the successor Person formed or remaining or to which such transfer is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, and (except in the case of a lease) the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, shall be discharged from all obligations and covenants under the Indenture and the notes or its Guarantee, as the case may be.

        Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company or any Guarantor may merge with an Affiliate incorporated or organized solely for the purpose of reincorporating or reorganizing the Company or

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Guarantor in another jurisdiction to realize tax or other benefits or converting the Company or any Guarantor to an entity that is, or is taxable for federal income tax purposes as, a corporation or a combination of the foregoing.

        An assumption of the Company's obligations under the notes and the Indenture by such successor Person, the addition of a co-obligor under the notes and the Indenture or an assumption of a Guarantor's obligations under its Guarantee by such successor Person might be deemed for United States federal income tax purposes to be an exchange of the notes for new notes by the beneficial owners thereof, resulting in recognition of gain or loss for such purposes and possibly other adverse tax consequences to such beneficial owners. Beneficial owners of the notes should consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of any such assumption or addition of a co-obligor under the notes.

Events of Default

        Each of the following is an "Event of Default":

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        If an Event of Default (other than as specified in clause (8) of the prior paragraph with respect to the Parent Guarantor or the Company) shall occur and be continuing with respect to the Indenture, the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the notes then outstanding may declare all unpaid principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest on all notes to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by the Holders of the notes) and upon any such declaration, such principal, premium, if any, and interest shall become due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default specified in clause (8) of the prior paragraph with respect to the Parent Guarantor or the Company occurs and is continuing, then all the notes shall ipso facto become due and payable immediately in an amount equal to the principal amount of the notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date the notes become due and payable, without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder of notes. Thereupon, the Trustee may, at its discretion, proceed to protect and enforce the rights of the Holders of notes by appropriate judicial proceedings.

        After a declaration of acceleration, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of notes outstanding by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if

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        No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.

        The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the notes outstanding may on behalf of the Holders of all outstanding notes waive any past default or Event of Default under the Indenture and its consequences, except a default or Event of Default (1) in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any note (which may only be waived with the consent of each Holder of notes affected) or (2) in respect of a covenant or provision which under the Indenture cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each note affected by such modification or amendment.

        If an Event of Default specified in clause (5) above shall have occurred and be continuing, such Event of Default and any consequential acceleration shall be automatically rescinded if (i) the Indebtedness that is the subject of such Event of Default shall have been repaid or (ii) if the default relating to such Indebtedness is waived or cured and if such Indebtedness shall have been accelerated, the holders thereof have rescinded their declaration of acceleration in respect of such Indebtedness.

        No Holder of any of the notes has any right to institute any proceedings with respect to the Indenture or any remedy thereunder, unless the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes have made written request, and offered satisfactory indemnity to, the Trustee to institute such proceeding as Trustee under the notes and the Indenture, the Trustee has failed to institute such proceeding within 60 days after receipt of such notice and the Trustee, within such 60-day period, has not received directions inconsistent with such written request by Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes. Such limitations do not, however, apply to a suit instituted by a Holder of a note for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on such note on or after the respective due dates expressed in such note.

        The Parent Guarantor is required to notify the Trustee in writing within 30 days after it becomes aware of the occurrence and continuance of any Default or Event of Default, unless such Default or Event of Default has been cured before the end of the 30-day period. The Parent Guarantor is required to deliver to the Trustee, on or before a date not more than 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a written certificate as to compliance with the Indenture, including whether or not any Default has occurred. The Trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by the Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders of the notes unless such Holders offer to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred thereby.

No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees, Limited Partners and Stockholders

        No director, officer, employee, member, limited partner or stockholder of the Parent Guarantor, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Parent Guarantor, the Company or the Restricted Subsidiaries under the notes, the Indenture or the Guarantees to which they are a party, or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of notes by accepting a note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the notes. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.

Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance of Indenture

        The Company may, at its option and at any time, elect to have the obligations of the Company, any Guarantor and any other obligor upon the notes and the Guarantees discharged with respect to the outstanding notes ("defeasance"). Such defeasance means that the Company, any such Guarantor and any other obligor under the Indenture and the Guarantees shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding notes and the Guarantees, except for

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        In addition, the Company may, at its option and at any time, elect to have the obligations of the Company and any Guarantor released with respect to their obligations under "—Change of Control" and under all of the covenants that are described under "—Certain Covenants" (other than the covenant described in the first paragraph under "—Certain Covenants—Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets," except to the extent described below) and the operation of clauses (3) through (7) under "—Events of Default" and the limitations described in clause (3) of the first paragraph under "—Certain Covenants—Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets" ("covenant defeasance") and thereafter any omission to comply with such obligations shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default with respect to the notes. In the event covenant defeasance occurs, certain events (not including non-payment, bankruptcy and insolvency events) described under "—Events of Default" will no longer constitute an Event of Default with respect to the notes.

        In order to exercise either defeasance or covenant defeasance,

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Satisfaction and Discharge

        The Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect (except as to surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of the notes as expressly provided for in the Indenture) as to all outstanding notes under the Indenture when:

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Amendments and Waivers

        Modifications, waivers and amendments of the Indenture may be made by the Company, each Guarantor, if any, any other obligor under the notes, and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the notes then outstanding (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, notes); provided that no such modification, waiver or amendment may, without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding note affected thereby:

        Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of any Holders of the notes, the Company, any Guarantor, any other obligor under the notes and the Trustee may modify, supplement or amend the Indenture:

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        The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the notes outstanding may waive compliance with certain restrictive covenants and provisions of the Indenture, except in the case of the matters specified in the first paragraph under this caption "Amendments and Waivers."

        The consent of the Holders is not necessary under the Indenture to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver. It is sufficient if such consent approves the substance of the proposed amendment, supplement or waiver. After an amendment, supplement or waiver under the Indenture becomes effective, the Company is required to mail to the Holders a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. However, the failure to give such notice, or any defect in the notice, will not impair or affect the validity of the amendment, supplement or waiver.

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Transfer and Exchange

        A Holder of notes may transfer or exchange notes in accordance with the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder of notes, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may require a Holder of notes to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Company is not required to transfer or exchange any note for a period of 15 days before a selection of notes to be redeemed.

        The registered holder of a note will be treated as the owner of it for all purposes.

Governing Law

        The Indenture, the notes and any Guarantee will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

Concerning the Trustee

        Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, the Trustee under the Indenture, is the agent and registrar for the notes.

        The Indenture contains certain limitations provided in the Trust Indenture Act on the rights of the Trustee, should it become a creditor of the Company or any Guarantor, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The Trustee will be permitted to engage in other transactions with the Company or any Guarantor; provided that if it acquires any conflicting interest as defined in Trust Indenture Act it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the Commission for permission to continue as Trustee with such conflict or resign as Trustee as provided in the Trust Indenture Act and the Indenture.

        The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding notes will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee, subject to certain exceptions and the rights of the Trustee. The Indenture provides that if an Event of Default occurs (which has not been cured or waived), the Trustee will be required, in the exercise of its rights and powers vested in it by the Indenture, to use the degree of care in their exercise of a prudent man in the conduct of his own affairs. Subject to such provisions, the Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Indenture at the request or direction of any Holder of notes unless such Holder shall have offered to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

Book-Entry, Delivery and Form

        The new notes initially will be represented by one or more permanent global notes in registered form without interest coupons (collectively, the "Global Notes").

        The Global Notes will be deposited upon issuance with the Trustee as custodian for The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), in New York, New York, and registered in the name of DTC's nominee, Cede & Co., in each case for credit to an account of a direct or indirect participant in DTC as described below.

        The Global Notes may be transferred, in whole but not in part, only to another nominee of DTC or to a successor of DTC or its nominee. Beneficial interests in the Global Notes may not be exchanged for notes in registered, certificated form ("Certificated Notes") except in the limited circumstances described below. See "—Exchange of Global Notes for Certificated Notes."

        In addition, transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will be subject to the applicable rules and procedures of DTC and its direct or indirect participants (including, if applicable, those of Euroclear and Clearstream), which may change from time to time.

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Depository Procedures

        The following description of the operations and procedures of DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream are provided solely as a matter of convenience. These operations and procedures are solely within the control of the respective settlement systems and are subject to changes by them. We take no responsibility for these operations and procedures and urge investors to contact the system or their participants directly to discuss these matters.

        DTC has advised us that DTC is a limited purpose trust company created to hold securities for its participating organizations (collectively, the "Participants") and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of transactions in those securities between Participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its Participants. The Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. Access to DTC's system is also available to other entities such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Participant, either directly or indirectly (collectively, the "Indirect Participants"). Persons who are not Participants may beneficially own securities held by or on behalf of DTC only through the Participants or the Indirect Participants. The ownership interests in, and transfers of ownership interests in, each security held by or on behalf of DTC are recorded on the records of the Participants and Indirect Participants.

        DTC has also advised us that, pursuant to procedures established by it:

        Investors in the Global Notes who are Participants in DTC's system may hold their interests therein directly through DTC. Investors in the Global Notes who are not Participants may hold their interests therein indirectly through organizations (including Euroclear and Clearstream) which are Participants in such system. Euroclear and Clearstream may hold interests in the Global Notes on behalf of their participants through customers' securities accounts in their respective names on the books of their depositories, which are Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of Euroclear, and Citibank, N.A., as operator of Clearstream. All interests in a Global Note, including those held through Euroclear or Clearstream, may be subject to the procedures and requirements of DTC. Those interests held through Euroclear or Clearstream may also be subject to the procedures and requirements of such systems.

        The laws of some states require that certain Persons take physical delivery in definitive form of securities that they own. Consequently, the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a Global Note to such Persons will be limited to that extent. Because DTC can act only on behalf of Participants, which in turn act on behalf of Indirect Participants, the ability of a Person having beneficial interests in a Global Note to pledge such interests to Persons that do not participate in the DTC system, or otherwise take actions in respect of such interests, may be affected by the lack of a physical certificate evidencing such interests.

        Except as described below, owners of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will not have notes registered in their names, will not receive physical delivery of Certificated Notes and will not be considered the registered owners or "Holders" thereof under the Indenture for any purpose.

        Payments in respect of the principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on, a Global Note registered in the name of DTC or its nominee will be payable to DTC in its capacity as the registered

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Holder under the Indenture. Under the terms of the Indenture, the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee will treat the Persons in whose names the notes, including the Global Notes, are registered as the owners of the notes for the purpose of receiving payments and for all other purposes. Consequently, neither the Company, the Guarantors, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee has or will have any responsibility or liability for:

        DTC has advised us that its current practice, at the due date of any payment in respect of securities such as the notes, is to credit the accounts of the relevant Participants with the payment on the payment date unless DTC has reason to believe it will not receive payment on such payment date. Each relevant Participant is credited with an amount proportionate to its beneficial ownership of an interest in the principal amount of the notes as shown on the records of DTC. Payments by the Participants and the Indirect Participants to the beneficial owners of notes will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices and will be the responsibility of the Participants or the Indirect Participants and will not be the responsibility of DTC, the Trustee or the Company. Neither the Company nor the Trustee will be liable for any delay by DTC or any of its Participants in identifying the beneficial owners of the notes, and the Company and the Trustee may conclusively rely on and will be protected in relying on instructions from DTC or its nominee for all purposes.

        Transfers between Participants in DTC will be effected in accordance with DTC's procedures, and will be settled in same-day funds, and transfers between participants in Euroclear and Clearstream will be effected in accordance with their respective rules and operating procedures.

        Cross market transfers between the Participants in DTC, on the one hand, and Euroclear or Clearstream participants, on the other hand, will be effected through DTC in accordance with DTC's rules on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, by its depository; however, such cross market transactions will require delivery of instructions to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, by the counterparty in such system in accordance with the rules and procedures and within the established deadlines (Brussels time) of such system. Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, will, if the transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to its respective depository to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving interests in the relevant Global Note in DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Euroclear participants and Clearstream participants may not deliver instructions directly to the depositories for Euroclear or Clearstream.

        DTC has advised us that it will take any action permitted to be taken by a Holder of notes only at the direction of one or more Participants to whose account DTC has credited the interests in the Global Notes and only in respect of such portion of the aggregate principal amount of the notes as to which such Participant or Participants has or have given such direction. However, if there is an Event of Default under the notes, DTC reserves the right to exchange the Global Notes for Certificated Notes, and to distribute such notes to its Participants.

        Although DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream have agreed to the foregoing procedures to facilitate transfers of interests in the Global Notes among participants in DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream, they are under no obligation to perform or to continue to perform such procedures, and may discontinue such procedures at any time. None of the Company, the Trustee or any of their respective agents will have any responsibility for the performance by DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream or their respective

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participants or indirect participants of their respective obligations under the rules and procedures governing their operations.

Exchange of Global Notes for Certificated Notes

        A Global Note is exchangeable for Certificated Notes in minimum denominations of $2,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000 in excess of $2,000, if:

        Beneficial interests in a Global Note may also be exchanged for Certificated Notes in the other limited circumstances permitted by the Indenture, including if an Affiliate of ours acquires such interests. In all cases, Certificated Notes delivered in exchange for any Global Note or beneficial interests in Global Notes will be registered in the names, and issued in any approved denominations, requested by or on behalf of the depositary (in accordance with its customary procedures).

Exchange of Certificated Notes for Global Notes

        Certificated Notes may not be exchanged for beneficial interests in any Global Note, except in the limited circumstances provided in the Indenture.

Same-Day Settlement and Payment

        The Indenture requires that payments in respect of the notes represented by the Global Notes (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Global Note holder. With respect to Certificated Notes, the Company will make all payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Holders thereof or, if no such account is specified, by mailing a check to each such Holder's registered address. The notes represented by the Global Notes are expected to trade in DTC's Same-Day Funds Settlement System, and any permitted secondary market trading activity in such notes will, therefore, be required by DTC to be settled in immediately available funds. The Company expects that secondary trading in any Certificated Notes will also be settled in immediately available funds.

        Because of time zone differences, the securities account of a Euroclear or Clearstream participant purchasing an interest in a Global Note from a Participant in DTC will be credited, and any such crediting will be reported to the relevant Euroclear or Clearstream participant, during the securities settlement processing day (which must be a business day for Euroclear or Clearstream) immediately following the settlement date of DTC. DTC has advised the Company that cash received in Euroclear or Clearstream as a result of sales of interests in a Global Note by or through a Euroclear or Clearstream participant to a Participant in DTC will be received with value on the settlement date of DTC but will be available in the relevant Euroclear or Clearstream cash account only as of the business day for Euroclear or Clearstream following DTC's settlement date.

Certain Definitions

        "Acquired Debt" means Indebtedness of a Person (1) existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or (2) assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets from such Person, in each case, other than Indebtedness incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary or such acquisition, as the case may be. Acquired Debt shall be

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deemed to be incurred on the date of the related acquisition of assets from any Person or the date the acquired Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be.

        "Additional Assets" means (i) any assets or property (other than cash, Cash Equivalents or securities) used in the Oil and Gas Business or any business ancillary thereto, (ii) Investments in any other Person engaged in the Oil and Gas Business or any business ancillary thereto (including the acquisition from third parties of Capital Stock of such Person) as a result of which such other Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, (iii) the acquisition from third parties of Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary, (iv) Permitted Business Investments, (v) capital expenditures by the Parent Guarantor, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in the Oil and Gas Business or (vi) Capital Stock constituting a Minority Interest in any Person that at such time is a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that, in the case of clauses (ii) and (vi), such Restricted Subsidiary is primarily engaged in the Oil and Gas Business.

        "Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" means (without duplication), as of the date of determination, the remainder of:

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        If the Parent Guarantor changes its method of accounting from the full cost method to the successful efforts method or a similar method of accounting, Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets will continue to be calculated as if the Parent Guarantor were still using the full cost method of accounting.

        "Affiliate" means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, "control" when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

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        "Asset Sale" means any sale, issuance, conveyance, transfer, lease (other than operating leases entered into in the ordinary course of business) or other disposition (including, without limitation, by way of merger or consolidation or sale and leaseback transaction) (collectively, a "transfer"), directly or indirectly, in one or a series of related transactions, of:

        For the purposes of this definition, the term Asset Sale shall not include:

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        "Asset Swap" means any substantially contemporaneous (and in any event occurring within 120 days of each other) purchase and sale or exchange of any oil or natural gas properties or assets or interests therein between the Parent Guarantor, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and another Person; provided, that any cash received must be applied in accordance with the covenant described under "—Certain Covenants—Asset Sale" as if the Asset Swap were an Asset Sale.

        "Attributable Indebtedness" in respect of a Sale and Leaseback Transaction means, at the time of determination, the present value (discounted at the rate of interest implicit in such transaction, determined in accordance with GAAP) of the obligation of the lessee for net rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such Sale and Leaseback Transaction (including any period for which such lease has been extended or may, at the option of the lessor, be extended).

        "Board of Directors" means:

        "Capital Lease Obligation" of any Person means any obligation of such Person under any capital lease of (or other agreement conveying the right to use) real or personal property which, in accordance with GAAP, is required to be recorded as a capitalized lease obligation (other than any obligation that is required to be classified and accounted for as an operating lease for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP as in effect on the Issue Date), and the amount of Indebtedness represented by such obligation shall be the capitalized amount of such obligation determined in accordance with GAAP; and the stated maturity thereof shall be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date upon which such lease may be terminated by the lessee without payment of a penalty. For purposes of the covenant described under "—Certain Covenants—Liens," a Capital Lease Obligation will be deemed to be secured by a Lien on the property being leased.

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        "Capital Stock" of any Person means any and all shares, units, interests, participations, rights in or other equivalents (however designated) of such Person's capital stock, other equity interests in such Person whether now outstanding or issued after the Issue Date, partnership interests (whether general or limited), limited liability company interests in such Person (if a limited liability company), any other interest or participation that confers on any other Person the right to receive a share of the overall profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, such Person, including any Preferred Stock, and any rights, warrants or options exercisable for, exchangeable for or convertible into such Capital Stock in any such case other than debt securities exercisable for, exchangeable for or convertible into Capital Stock.

        "Cash Equivalents" means

        "Cash Management Obligations" means, with respect to the Company or any Guarantor, any obligations of such Person to any lender in respect of treasury management arrangements, depositary or other cash management services, including any treasury management line of credit.

        "Change of Control" means the occurrence of any of the following events:

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Notwithstanding the preceding, a conversion of the Parent Guarantor, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from a limited liability company, corporation, limited partnership or other form of entity to a limited liability company, corporation, limited partnership or other form of entity or an exchange of all of the outstanding Capital Stock in one form of entity for Capital Stock for another form of entity shall not constitute a Change of Control, so long as following such conversion or exchange the "persons" (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) who "beneficially owned" (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that a Person shall be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such Person has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time) the Capital Stock of the Parent Guarantor immediately prior to such transactions continue to "beneficially own" in the aggregate more than 50% of the Voting Stock of such entity (measured by voting power rather than the number of shares), or continue to "beneficially own" sufficient equity interests in such entity to elect a majority of its directors, managers, trustees or other Persons serving in a similar capacity for such entity, and, in either case no Person, other than one or more Permitted Holders, "beneficially owns" more than 50% of the Voting Stock of such entity (measured by voting power rather than the number of shares).

        "Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or if at any time after the execution of the Indenture such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.

        "Commodity Agreements" means, with respect to any Person, any futures contract, forward contract, commodity swap agreement, commodity option agreement, hedging agreements and other agreements or arrangements (including, without limitation, swaps, caps, floors, collars, options and similar agreements) or any combination thereof entered into by such Person in respect of Hydrocarbons

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purchased, used, produced, processed or sold by such Person or its Subsidiaries for the purpose of protecting, on a net basis, against price risks, basis risks or other risks encountered in the Oil and Gas Business.

        "Company" means Laredo Petroleum, Inc., a Delaware corporation, until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Indenture, and thereafter Company shall mean such successor Person.

        "Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio" of the Parent Guarantor means, for any period, the ratio of

provided, however, that:

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        For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to any calculation under this definition, the pro forma calculations will be determined in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Company; provided that such officer may in his or her discretion include any reasonably identifiable and factually supportable pro forma changes to Consolidated Net Income (Loss), including any pro forma expenses and cost reductions, that have occurred or in the judgment of such officer are reasonably expected to occur within 12 months of the date of the applicable transaction (regardless of whether such expense or cost reduction or any other operating improvements could then be reflected properly in pro forma financial statements prepared in accordance with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act or any other regulation or policy of the Commission); and provided further that

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        "Consolidated Income Tax Expense" of any Person means, for any period, the provision for federal, state, local and foreign income taxes (including state franchise or other taxes accounted for as income taxes in accordance with GAAP) of such Person and its Consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries for such period as determined in accordance with GAAP.

        "Consolidated Interest Expense" of the Parent Guarantor means, without duplication, for any period, the sum of

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minus, to the extent included above, any interest attributable to Dollar Denominated Production Payments.

        "Consolidated Net Income (Loss)" of the Parent Guarantor means, for any period, the Consolidated net income (or loss) of the Parent Guarantor, the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period on a Consolidated basis as determined in accordance with GAAP, adjusted, to the extent included in calculating such net income (or loss), by excluding, without duplication,

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        "Consolidated Net Worth" means, with respect to any specified Person as of any date, the sum of:

        "Consolidated Non-cash Charges" of the Parent Guarantor means, for any period, the aggregate depreciation, depletion, amortization, impairment and exploration and abandonment expense and other non-cash charges of the Parent Guarantor, the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis for such period, as determined in accordance with GAAP (excluding any non-cash charge (other than a charge for future obligations with respect to the abandonment or retirement of assets) that requires an accrual or reserve for cash charges for any future period).

        "Consolidation" means, with respect to any Person, the consolidation of the accounts of such Person and each of its Subsidiaries if and to the extent the accounts of such Person and each of its Subsidiaries would be consolidated with those of such Person, in accordance with GAAP; provided, however, that "Consolidation" will not include consolidation of the accounts of any Unrestricted Subsidiary of such Person with the accounts of such Person. The term "Consolidated" shall have a similar meaning.

        "Credit Facility" means, with respect to the Parent Guarantor, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, one or more debt facilities (including, without limitation, the Senior Credit Agreement) providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables or other financial assets to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders against such receivables or other financial assets), letters of credit, commercial paper facilities, debt issuances or other debt obligations, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, restructured, supplemented, replaced or refinanced, in whole or in part and from time to time, including, without limitation, any amendment increasing the amount of Indebtedness incurred or available to be borrowed thereunder, extending the maturity of any Indebtedness incurred thereunder or contemplated thereby or deleting, adding or substituting one or more parties thereto (whether or not such added or substituted parties are banks or other institutional lenders).

        "Currency Agreement" means, in respect of a Person, any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement, futures contract, option contract or other similar agreement as to which such Person is a party or a beneficiary.

        "Default" means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

        "Disinterested Director" means, with respect to any transaction or series of related transactions, a member of the Board of Directors of the Parent Guarantor who does not have any material direct or indirect financial interest (other than as a shareholder or employee of the Parent Guarantor) in or with respect to such transaction or series of related transactions.

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        "Disqualified Stock" means any Capital Stock that, either by its terms or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or exchangeable or otherwise, is or upon the happening of an event or passage of time would be, required to be redeemed prior to the date that is the earlier of (a) the date 91 days after the date on which no notes are outstanding and (b) the final Stated Maturity of the principal of the notes or is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof at any time prior to such date (other than, in any case, upon a change of control of or sale of assets by the Parent Guarantor in circumstances where the Holders of the notes would have similar rights), or is convertible into or exchangeable for debt securities at any time prior to such date at the option of the holder thereof; provided that only the portion of Capital Stock which is mandatorily redeemable is so redeemable or so convertible or exchangeable at the option of the holder thereof prior to such date will be deemed to be Disqualified Stock; provided further that any Capital Stock issued pursuant to any plan of the Company or any of its Affiliates for the benefit of one or more employees will not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased by the Company or any of its Affiliates in order to satisfy applicable contractual, statutory or regulatory obligations.

        "Dollar Denominated Production Payment" means a production payment required to be recorded as a borrowing in accordance with GAAP, together with all undertakings and obligations in connection therewith.

        "Equity Investor" means each of (i) Warburg Pincus Private Equity IX, L.P., (ii) Warburg Pincus Private Equity X O&G, L.P. and (iii) Warburg Pincus X Partners, L.P.

        "Equity Offering" means an underwritten public offering or nonpublic, unregistered or private placement of Qualified Capital Stock of the Parent Guarantor or any contribution to capital of the Parent Guarantor in respect of Qualified Capital Stock of the Parent Guarantor.

        "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor statute, and the rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission thereunder.

        "Exchanged Properties" means Additional Assets received by the Parent Guarantor, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in a substantially concurrent purchase and sale, trade or exchange as a portion of the total consideration for other properties or assets.

        "Fair Market Value" means, with respect to any asset or property, the sale value that would be obtained in an arm's length free market transaction between an informed and willing seller under no compulsion to sell and an informed and willing buyer under no compulsion to buy. Fair Market Value of an asset or property in excess of $20 million shall be determined by the Board of Directors of the Parent Guarantor acting in good faith, which determination will be conclusive for all purposes under the Indenture, in which event it shall be evidenced by a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Parent Guarantor, and any lesser Fair Market Value shall be determined by the principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of the Parent Guarantor acting in good faith, which determination will be conclusive for all purposes under the Indenture.

        "Foreign Subsidiary" means any Restricted Subsidiary of the Parent Guarantor that (x) is not organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia, or (y) was organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia that has no material assets other than Capital Stock of one or more foreign entities of the type described in clause (x) above.

        "Generally Accepted Accounting Principles" or "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting

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profession, which are in effect from time to time. All ratio computations based on GAAP contained in the Indenture will be computed in conformity with GAAP.

        "Guarantee" means the guarantee by any Guarantor of the Company's Indenture Obligations.

        "Guaranteed Debt" of any Person means, without duplication, all Indebtedness of any other Person guaranteed directly or indirectly in any manner by such Person, or in effect guaranteed directly or indirectly by such Person through an agreement, made primarily for the purpose of enabling the debtor to make payment of such Indebtedness or to assure the holder of such Indebtedness against loss,

provided that the term "guarantee" shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit, in either case in the ordinary course of business or any obligation to the extent it is payable only in Qualified Capital Stock of the guarantor.

        "Guarantor" means (i) the Parent Guarantor and (ii) any Subsidiary of the Parent Guarantor that is a guarantor of the notes, including any Person that is required after the Issue Date to execute a guarantee of the notes pursuant to the covenant described under "—Certain Covenants—Issuances of Guarantees by Restricted Subsidiaries," until a successor replaces such party pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Indenture and, thereafter, shall mean such successor; provided, however, that any Person constituting a Guarantor as described above shall cease to constitute a Guarantor when its Guarantee is released in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

        "Hedging Obligations" of any Person means the obligations of such Person pursuant to any Interest Rate Agreement, Currency Agreement or Commodity Agreement.

        "Hydrocarbons" means oil, natural gas, casing head gas, drip gasoline, natural gasoline, condensate, distillate, liquid hydrocarbons, gaseous hydrocarbons and all constituents, elements or compounds thereof and all products, by-products and all other substances (whether or not hydrocarbon in nature) produced in connection therewith or refined, separated, settled or derived therefrom or the processing thereof, and all other minerals and substances related to the foregoing, including, but not limited to, liquified petroleum gas, natural gas, kerosene, sulphur, lignite, coal, all gas resulting from the in-situ combustion of coal or lignite, uranium, thorium, iron, geothermal steam, water, carbon dioxide, helium, and any and all other minerals, ores, or substances of value, and the products and proceeds therefrom.

        "Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person, without duplication,

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if and to the extent (solely in the case of the obligations specified in clauses (1)(a)(ii), (3) and (5)) such obligations would appear as liabilities upon the Consolidated balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP; provided, however, that the following shall in any event not constitute "Indebtedness":

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        For purposes hereof, the "maximum fixed repurchase price" of any Disqualified Stock which does not have a fixed repurchase price shall be calculated in accordance with the terms of such Disqualified Stock as if such Disqualified Stock were purchased on any date on which Indebtedness shall be required to be determined pursuant to the Indenture, and if such price is based upon, or measured by, the Fair Market Value of such Disqualified Stock, such Fair Market Value to be determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the issuer of such Disqualified Stock.

        Indebtedness of a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (whether by merger, consolidation, acquisition of Capital Stock or otherwise) or is merged with or into the Parent Guarantor, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or which is secured by a Lien on an asset acquired by the Parent Guarantor, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary (whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by the acquiring Person) shall be deemed incurred at the time the Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or at the time of the merger or asset acquisition, as the case may be.

        The "amount" or "principal amount" of Indebtedness at any time of determination as used herein shall, except as set forth below, be determined in accordance with GAAP:

        "Indenture Obligations" means the obligations of the Company and any other obligor under the Indenture or under the notes, including any Guarantor, to pay principal of, premium, if any, and interest when due and payable, and all other amounts due or to become due under or in connection with the Indenture, the notes and the performance of all other obligations to the Trustee and the Holders under the Indenture and the notes, according to the respective terms thereof.

        "Interest Rate Agreements" means one or more of the following agreements which shall be entered into by one or more financial institutions: interest rate protection agreements (including, without limitation, interest rate swaps, caps, floors, collars and similar agreements) and/or other types of interest rate hedging agreements from time to time.

        "Investment" means, with respect to any Person, directly or indirectly, any advance, loan (including guarantees), or other extension of credit or capital contribution to any other Person (by means of any transfer of cash or other property to such Person or any payment for property or services for the account or use of such Person), or any purchase, acquisition or ownership by such Person of any Capital Stock, bonds, notes, debentures or other securities issued or owned by any other Person and all other items that would be classified as investments on a balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP. "Investment" shall exclude, as to any Person, direct or indirect advances or payments to customers or suppliers in the ordinary course of business that are, in conformity with GAAP, recorded as accounts receivable, prepaid expenses or deposits on such Person's balance sheet, endorsements for collection or deposit arising in the ordinary course of business, any debt or extension of credit represented by a bank deposit other than a time deposit, any interest in an oil or gas leasehold to the extent constituting a security under applicable law and extensions of trade credit on commercially reasonable terms in accordance with normal trade practices. If the Parent Guarantor, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary sells or otherwise disposes of any Capital Stock of any direct or indirect Restricted Subsidiary of the Parent Guarantor such that, after giving effect to any such sale or

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disposition, such Person is no longer a Subsidiary of the Parent Guarantor (other than the sale of all of the outstanding Capital Stock of such Subsidiary), the Parent Guarantor will be deemed to have made an Investment on the date of such sale or disposition equal to the Fair Market Value of the Parent Guarantor's Investments in such Restricted Subsidiary that were not sold or disposed of in an amount determined as provided in clause (a) of the covenant described under "—Certain Covenants—Restricted Payments." The amount of the investment shall be its Fair Market Value at the time the investment is made and shall not be adjusted for increases or decreases in value, or write-ups, write downs or write-offs with respect to such Investment.

        "Investment Grade Rating" means at least BBB-, in the case of S&P (or at least its equivalent under any successor rating categories of S&P), at least Baa3, in the case of Moody's (or at least its equivalent under any successor rating categories of Moody's), or, if either such entity ceases to make its rating on the notes publicly available for reasons outside the Parent Guarantor's control, at least the equivalent in respect of the rating categories of any Rating Agency substituted for S&P or Moody's in accordance with the definition of "Rating Agencies."

        "Issue Date" means the original issue date of the old notes issued on January 20, 2011 (excluding, for such purposes, Additional Notes or new notes) under the Indenture.

        "Lien" means any mortgage or deed of trust, charge, pledge, lien (statutory or otherwise), privilege, security interest, assignment, deposit, arrangement, hypothecation, claim, preference, priority or other encumbrance for security purposes upon or with respect to any property of any kind (including any conditional sale, capital lease or other title retention agreement, any leases in the nature thereof, and any agreement to give any security interest), real or personal, movable or immovable, now owned or hereafter acquired. A Person will be deemed to own subject to a Lien any property which it has acquired or holds subject to the interest of a vendor or lessor under any conditional sale agreement, Capital Lease Obligation or other title retention agreement. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Indenture, references herein to Liens permitted to exist upon any particular item of Property shall also be deemed (whether or not stated specifically) to permit Liens to exist upon any improvements, additions, accessions and contractual rights relating primarily thereto and all proceeds thereof (including dividends, distributions and increases in respect thereof).

        "Liquid Securities" means securities that are publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq Stock Market and as to which the Parent Guarantor, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary is not subject to any restrictions on sale or transfer (including any volume restrictions under Rule 144 under the Securities Act or any other restrictions imposed by the Securities Act) or as to which a registration statement under the Securities Act covering the resale thereof is in effect for as long as the securities are held; provided that securities meeting the foregoing requirements shall be treated as Liquid Securities from the date of receipt thereof until and only until the earlier of (a) the date on which such securities are sold or exchanged for cash or Cash Equivalents and (b) 180 days following the date of receipt of such securities. If such securities are not sold or exchanged for cash or Cash Equivalents within 180 days of receipt thereof, for purposes of determining whether the transaction pursuant to which the Parent Guarantor, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary received the securities was in compliance with the provisions of the covenant described under "—Certain Covenants—Asset Sales," such securities shall be deemed not to have been Liquid Securities at any time.

        "Maturity" means, when used with respect to the notes, the date on which the principal of the notes becomes due and payable as therein provided or as provided in the Indenture, whether at Stated Maturity, the Asset Sale Purchase Date, the Change of Control Purchase Date or the redemption date and whether by declaration of acceleration, Prepayment Offer in respect of Excess Proceeds, Change of Control Offer in respect of a Change of Control, call for redemption or otherwise.

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        "Minority Interest" means the percentage interest represented by any class of Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary that are not owned by the Parent Guarantor, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary.

        "Moody's" means Moody's Investors Service, Inc. (or any successor to the rating agency business thereof).

        "Net Available Cash" from an Asset Sale or Sale and Leaseback Transaction means cash proceeds received therefrom (including any (i) cash proceeds received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or otherwise and (ii) net proceeds from the sale or disposition of any Liquid Securities, in each case, only as and when received and excluding (x) any other consideration received in the form of assumption by the acquiring Person of Indebtedness or other liabilities of the Parent Guarantor, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary and (y) except to the extent subsequently converted to cash or Cash Equivalents, Liquid Securities, consideration constituting Exchanged Properties or consideration other than as identified in the immediately preceding clauses (i) and (ii)), in each case net of:

provided that, if any consideration for an Asset Sale or Sale and Leaseback Transaction (which would otherwise constitute Net Available Cash) is required to be held in escrow pending determination of whether a purchase price adjustment will be made, or as a reserve in accordance with GAAP, such consideration (or any portion thereof) shall become Net Available Cash only at such time as it is released to the Parent Guarantor, the Company or the Restricted Subsidiaries from escrow or is released from such reserve.

        "Net Cash Proceeds" means with respect to any issuance or sale of Capital Stock or options, warrants or rights to purchase Capital Stock, or debt securities or Capital Stock that have been converted into or exchanged for Capital Stock as referred to in the covenant described under "—Certain Covenants—Restricted Payments," the aggregate proceeds of such issuance or sale in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents including payments in respect of deferred payment obligations when received in the form of, or stock or other assets when disposed of for, cash or Cash Equivalents (except to the extent that such obligations are financed or sold with recourse to the Parent Guarantor, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary), net of (a) attorneys' fees, accountants' fees and brokerage,

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consultation, underwriting and other fees and expenses actually incurred in connection with such issuance or sale or (b) taxes paid or payable or required to be accrued as a liability under GAAP as a result thereof.

        "Net Working Capital" means (i) all current assets of the Parent Guarantor, the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries, less (ii) all current liabilities of the Parent Guarantor, the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries, except current liabilities included in Indebtedness, in each case as set forth in Consolidated financial statements of the Parent Guarantor prepared in accordance with GAAP; provided that all of the following shall be excluded in the calculation of Net Working Capital: (a) current assets or liabilities relating to the mark-to-market value of Interest Rate Agreements and hedging arrangements constituting Permitted Debt or commodity price risk management activities arising in the ordinary course of the Oil and Gas Business; (b) any current assets or liabilities relating to non-cash charges arising from any grant of Capital Stock, options to acquire Capital Stock or other equity based awards; and (c) any current assets or liabilities relating to non-cash charges or accruals for future abandonment or asset retirement liabilities.

        "Non-Guarantor Restricted Subsidiary" means any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary and is designated by the Parent Guarantor as a Non-Guarantor Restricted Subsidiary, as evidenced by a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Parent Guarantor.

        "Oil and Gas Business" means the business of exploiting, exploring for, developing, acquiring, operating, servicing, producing, processing, gathering, marketing, storing, selling, hedging, treating, swapping, refining and transporting Hydrocarbons, Hydrocarbon properties or Hydrocarbon assets and other related energy businesses and activities arising from, relating to or necessary, ancillary, complementary or incidental to the foregoing.

        "Oil and Gas Liens" means (i) Liens on any specific property or any interest therein, construction thereon or improvement thereto to secure all or any part of the costs incurred for surveying, exploration, drilling, extraction, development, operation, production, construction, alteration, repair or improvement of, in, under or on such property and the plugging and abandonment of wells located thereon (it being understood that, in the case of oil and gas producing properties, or any interest therein, costs incurred for development shall include costs incurred for all facilities relating to such properties or to projects, ventures or other arrangements of which such properties form a part or which relate to such properties or interests); (ii) Liens on an oil or gas producing property to secure obligations incurred or guarantees of obligations incurred in connection with or necessarily incidental to commitments for the purchase or sale of, or the transportation or distribution of, the products derived from such property; (iii) Liens arising under partnership agreements, oil and gas leases, overriding royalty agreements, net profits agreements, production payment agreements, royalty trust agreements, incentive compensation programs for geologists, geophysicists and other providers of technical services to the Parent Guarantor, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, master limited partnership agreements, farm-out agreements, farm-in agreements, division orders, contracts for the sale, purchase, exchange, transportation, gathering or processing of oil, gas or other hydrocarbons, unitizations and pooling designations, declarations, orders and agreements, development agreements, operating agreements, production sales contracts, area of mutual interest agreements, gas balancing or deferred production agreements, injection, repressuring and recycling agreements, salt water or other disposal agreements, seismic or geophysical permits or agreements, and other agreements which are customary in the Oil and Gas Business; provided in all instances that such Liens are limited to the assets that are the subject of the relevant agreement, program, order or contract; (iv) Liens arising in connection with Production Payments and Reserve Sales; (v) Liens on pipelines or pipeline facilities that arise by operation of law; and (vi) Liens on, or related to, properties and assets of the Parent Guarantor and its Subsidiaries to secure all or a part of the costs incurred in the ordinary course of business of exploration, drilling, development, production, processing, gas gathering, marketing, refining or storage, abandonment or operation thereof.

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        "Oil and Gas Properties" means all properties, including equity or other ownership interests therein, owned by a Person which contain or are believed to contain oil and gas reserves.

        "Parent Guarantor" means Laredo Petroleum, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Indenture, and thereafter "Parent Guarantor" shall mean such successor Person. If the corporate reorganization described herein is consummated, Laredo Petroleum, LLC will merge into Laredo Petroleum Holdings, Inc., with Laredo Petroleum Holdings, Inc. being the surviving entity and Laredo Petroleum Holdings, Inc. thereby becoming the "Parent Guarantor."

        "Pari Passu Indebtedness" means any Indebtedness of the Company or a Guarantor that is pari passu in right of payment to the notes or a Guarantee, as the case may be.

        "Pari Passu Offer" means an offer by the Company or a Guarantor to purchase all or a portion of Pari Passu Indebtedness to the extent required by the Indenture or other agreement or instrument pursuant to which such Pari Passu Indebtedness was issued.

        "Permitted Acquisition Indebtedness" means Indebtedness (including Disqualified Stock) of the Parent Guarantor, the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to the extent such Indebtedness was Indebtedness:

provided that on the date such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary or the date such Person was merged or consolidated with or into the Parent Guarantor, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, immediately after giving effect to such transaction on a pro forma basis (on the assumption that the transaction occurred on the first day of the four-quarter period for which financial statements are available ending immediately prior to the consummation of such transaction with the appropriate adjustments with respect to the transaction being included in such pro forma calculation),

        "Permitted Business Investments" means Investments and expenditures made in the ordinary course of, or of a nature that is or shall have become customary in, the Oil and Gas Business as a means of engaging therein through agreements, transactions, properties, interests or arrangements that permit one to share or transfer risks or costs, comply with regulatory requirements regarding local ownership or otherwise or satisfy other objectives customarily achieved through the conduct of the Oil and Gas Business jointly with third parties, including (i) ownership interests in Hydrocarbon properties and interests therein, liquid natural gas facilities, drilling operations, processing facilities, refineries, gathering systems, pipelines, storage facilities, related systems or facilities, ancillary real property interests and interests therein; (ii) entry into and Investments and expenditures in the form of or pursuant to operating agreements, processing agreements, farm-in agreements, farm-out agreements, development agreements, area of mutual interest agreements, unitization agreements, pooling arrangements, joint bidding agreements, service contracts, joint venture agreements, partnership agreements (whether general or limited) and other similar agreements (including for limited liability

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companies), working interests, royalty interests, mineral leases, production sharing agreements, production sales and marketing agreements, subscription agreements, stock purchase agreements, stockholder agreements, oil or gas leases, overriding royalty agreements, net profits agreements, production payment agreements, royalty trust agreements, incentive compensation programs on terms that are reasonably customary in the Oil and Gas Business for geologists, geophysicists and other providers of technical services to the Parent Guarantor, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, division orders, participation agreements, master limited partnership agreements, contracts for the sale, purchase, exchange, transportation, gathering, processing, marketing or storage of Hydrocarbons, communitizations, declarations, orders and agreements, gas balancing or deferred production agreements, injection, repressuring and recycling agreements, salt water or other disposal agreements, seismic or geophysical permits or agreements, or other similar or customary agreements, transactions, properties, interests or arrangements, Asset Swaps, and exchanges of properties of the Parent Guarantor, the Company or the Restricted Subsidiaries for other properties that, together with any cash and Cash Equivalents in connection therewith, are of at least equivalent value as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Parent Guarantor with third parties, excluding, however, Investments in corporations or Unrestricted Subsidiaries that are Permitted Investments; (iii) capital expenditures, including, without limitation, acquisitions of properties that are related or incidental to, or used or useful in connection with, the Oil and Gas Business or other business activities that are not prohibited by the terms of the Indenture, and interests therein; and (iv) Investments of operating funds on behalf of co-owners of properties used in the Oil and Gas Business of the Parent Guarantor, the Company or the Subsidiaries pursuant to joint operating agreements.

        "Permitted Holder" means the Equity Investors and Related Parties. Any person or group whose acquisition of beneficial ownership constitutes a Change of Control in respect of which a Change of Control Offer is (or pursuant to the third to last paragraph under "—Change of Control" is not required to be) made in accordance with the requirements of the Indenture will thereafter, together with its Affiliates, constitute an additional Permitted Holder.

        "Permitted Investment" means:

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        In connection with any assets or property contributed or transferred to any Person as an Investment, such property and assets shall be equal to the Fair Market Value at the time of Investment, without regard to subsequent changes in value or writeups, writedowns or writeoffs.

        With respect to any Investment, the Parent Guarantor may, in its sole discretion, allocate all or any portion of any Investment to one or more of the above clauses so that the entire Investment is a Permitted Investment.

        "Permitted Lien" means:

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        In each case set forth above, notwithstanding any stated limitation on the assets that may be subject to such Lien, a Permitted Lien on a specified asset or group or type of assets may include Liens on all improvements, additions, accessions and contractual rights relating primarily thereto and all proceeds thereof (including dividends, distributions and increases in respect thereof).

        Notwithstanding anything in clauses (a) through (u) of this definition, the term Permitted Liens does not include any Liens resulting from the creation, incurrence, issuance, assumption or guarantee of any Production Payments other than (i) Production Payments that are created, incurred, issued, assumed or guaranteed in connection with the financing of, and within 90 days after, the acquisition of the properties or assets that are subject thereto and (ii) Volumetric Production Payments that constitute Asset Sales.

        "Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness" means any Indebtedness of the Parent Guarantor, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary issued in a Refinancing of other Indebtedness of the Parent Guarantor, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than intercompany Indebtedness); provided that:

        "Person" means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

        "Preferred Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) which is preferred as to the payment of dividends or distributions, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such Person, over the Capital Stock of any other class in such Person.

        "Production Payments" means, collectively, Dollar Denominated Production Payments and Volumetric Production Payments.

        "Production Payments and Reserve Sales" means the grant or transfer by the Parent Guarantor, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to any Person of a bonus, rental payment, royalty, overriding royalty, net profits interest, production payment (whether volumetric or dollar denominated),

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partnership or other interest in Oil and Gas Properties, reserves or the right to receive all or a portion of the production or the proceeds from the sale of production attributable to such properties where the holder of such interest has recourse solely to such production or proceeds of production, subject to the obligation of the grantor or transferor to operate and maintain, or cause the subject interests to be operated and maintained, in a reasonably prudent manner or other customary standard or subject to the obligation of the grantor or transferor to indemnify for environmental, title or other matters customary in the Oil and Gas Business, including any such grants or transfers pursuant to incentive compensation programs on terms that are reasonably customary in the Oil and Gas Business for geologists, geophysicists or other providers of technical services to the Parent Guarantor, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary.

        "Property" means, with respect to any Person, any interest of such Person in any kind of property or asset, whether real, personal or mixed, or tangible or intangible, including Capital Stock and other securities issued by any other Person (but excluding Capital Stock or other securities issued by such first mentioned Person).

        "Purchase Money Obligation" means any Indebtedness secured by a Lien on assets related to the business of the Parent Guarantor, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that are acquired, constructed, improved or developed by the Parent Guarantor, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary at any time after the Issue Date; provided that

        "Qualified Capital Stock" of any Person means any and all Capital Stock of such Person other than Disqualified Stock.

        "Rating Agencies" means (a) S&P and Moody's or (b) if S&P or Moody's or both of them are not making ratings of the notes publicly available, a nationally recognized U.S. rating agency or agencies, as the case may be, selected by the Parent Guarantor, which will be substituted for S&P or Moody's or both, as the case may be.

        "Refinance" means, in respect of any Indebtedness, to refinance, extend, renew, refund, repay, prepay, redeem, effect a change by amendment or modification, defease or retire, or to issue an Indebtedness in exchange or replacement for (or the net proceeds of which are used to Refinance),

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such Indebtedness in whole or in part. "Refinanced" and "Refinancing" shall have correlative meanings.

        "Related Party" means:

        "Restricted Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary of the Parent Guarantor (other than the Company) that has not been designated by the Board of Directors of the Parent Guarantor by a board resolution delivered to the Trustee as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a Designation (not subject to a subsequent Revocation) in compliance with the covenant described under "—Certain Covenants—Unrestricted Subsidiaries."

        "S&P" means Standard and Poor's Ratings Services (or any successor to the rating agency business thereof).

        "Sale and Leaseback Transaction" means, with respect to the Parent Guarantor, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, any arrangement with any Person providing for the leasing by the Parent Guarantor, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of any principal property, acquired or placed into service more than 180 days prior to such arrangement, whereby such property has been or is to be sold or transferred by the Parent Guarantor, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to such Person.

        "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any successor statute, and the rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission thereunder.

        "Senior Credit Agreement" means the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of July 7, 2010, by and among the Company, as Borrower, the financial institutions as listed therein, as Banks, Bank of America, N.A, as Administrative Agent, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Syndication Agent, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Bank of Montreal and Union Bank, N.A., as Co-Documentation Agents, and Banc of America Securities LLC, as Sole Lead Arranger, and the lenders party thereto, as such agreement, in whole or in part, in one or more instances, may be amended, renewed, extended, substituted, refinanced, restructured, replaced, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time (including, without limitation, any successive renewals, extensions, substitutions, refinancings, restructurings, replacements (whether by the same or any other agent, lender or group of lenders), supplementations or other modifications of the foregoing) together with the related documents thereto (including, without limitation, any guarantee agreements and security documents).

        "Significant Subsidiary" means any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a "significant subsidiary" of the Parent Guarantor within the meaning of Rule 1-02 under Regulation S-X promulgated by the Commission as in effect on the Issue Date.

        "Stated Maturity" means, when used with respect to any Indebtedness or any installment of interest thereon, the dates specified in such Indebtedness as the fixed date on which the principal of such Indebtedness or such installment of interest, as the case may be, is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision, but shall not include any contingent obligations to repay, redeem or repurchase any such principal prior to the date originally scheduled for the payment thereof.

        "Subordinated Indebtedness" means Indebtedness of the Company or a Guarantor subordinated in right of payment to the notes or a Guarantee, as the case may be.

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        "Subsidiary" with respect to any Person, means any (i) corporation, association or other business entity (other than a partnership) of which the outstanding Capital Stock having a majority of the votes entitled to be cast in the election of directors, managers or trustees of such entity under ordinary circumstances shall at the time be owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person or any other Person of which a majority of the voting interests under ordinary circumstances is at the time, directly or indirectly, owned by such Person or (ii) any partnership (a) the sole general partner or the managing general partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person or (b) the only general partners of which are that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person (or any combination thereof).

        "Subsidiary Guarantor" means any Guarantor other than the Parent Guarantor.

        "Trade Accounts Payable" means (a) accounts payable or other obligations of the Parent Guarantor, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary created or assumed by the Parent Guarantor, the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business in connection with the obtaining of goods or services and (b) obligations arising under contracts for the exploration, development, drilling, completion and plugging and abandonment of wells or for the construction, repair or maintenance of related infrastructure or facilities.

        "Transaction" means any transaction; provided that, if such transaction is part of a series of related transactions, "Transaction" refers to such related transactions as a whole.

        "Unrestricted Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary of the Parent Guarantor (other than the Company) designated (or deemed designated) as such pursuant to and in compliance with the covenant described under "—Certain Covenants—Unrestricted Subsidiaries."

        "Unrestricted Subsidiary Indebtedness" means Indebtedness of any Unrestricted Subsidiary

provided that notwithstanding the foregoing, any Unrestricted Subsidiary may guarantee the notes.

        "U.S. Government Obligations" means (i) securities that are (a) direct obligations of the United States of America for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged or (b) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America, the full and timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America, which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof; and (ii) depositary receipts issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act) as custodian with respect to any U.S. Government Obligation which is specified in clause (i) above and held by such bank for the account of the holder of such depositary receipt, or with respect to any specific payment of principal or

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interest on any U.S. Government Obligation which is so specified and held; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation or the specific payment of principal or interest of the U.S. Government Obligation evidenced by such depositary receipt.

        "Volumetric Production Payment" means a production payment that is recorded as a sale in accordance with GAAP, whether or not the sale price must be recorded as deferred revenue, together with all undertakings and obligations in connection therewith.

        "Voting Stock" of a Person means Capital Stock of such Person of the class or classes pursuant to which the holders thereof have the general voting power under ordinary circumstances to elect the members of the Board of Directors, managers or trustees of such Person (irrespective of whether or not at the time Capital Stock of any other class or classes shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency).

        "Weighted Average Life to Maturity" means, when applied to any Indebtedness or Preferred Stock at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing (1) the then outstanding aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness or Preferred Stock into (2) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payment of principal or (with respect to Preferred Stock) redemption or similar payment, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof, by (b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) which will elapse between such date and the making of such payment.

        "Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary" means a Restricted Subsidiary all the Capital Stock of which is owned by the Parent Guarantor or another Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary (other than directors' qualifying shares).

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MATERIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

General

        The following general discussion summarizes certain material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the exchange of old notes for new notes pursuant to this exchange offer and of the ownership and sale or other disposition of notes by the original beneficial owners of the old notes (referred to herein as "holders") who exchange old notes for new notes in this exchange offer and who hold the notes as capital assets (generally, property held for investment).

        This discussion is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code"), regulations of the Treasury Department ("Treasury Regulations"), Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") rulings and pronouncements, and judicial decisions now in effect. These authorities are subject to change or differing interpretations (possibly on a retroactive basis), so as to result in U.S. federal income tax consequences different from those set forth below. We have not and will not seek any rulings from the IRS regarding the matters discussed below. There can be no assurance that the IRS will not take positions concerning the tax consequences of the exchange offer or of the ownership and sale or other disposition of notes which are different from those discussed below or that a contrary position taken by the IRS would not be sustained by a court.

        This discussion is a summary for general information only and does not consider all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to the ownership and sale or other disposition of notes by a particular holder in light of such holder's specific circumstances. It does not describe any tax consequences arising out of the tax laws of any state, local or non-U.S. jurisdiction, any estate or gift tax consequences, any consequences arising under the newly enacted Medicare tax on certain investment income or the U.S. federal income tax consequences to investors subject to special treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws, such as:

        If a partnership, including any entity or arrangement that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, holds notes, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend on the status of the partner, the activities of the partnership and certain determinations made at the partner level. If you are a partnership for U.S. federal income tax

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purposes (or if you are a partner in such a partnership), you should consult with your tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of the exchange of old notes for new notes pursuant to this exchange offer and of owning and selling or otherwise disposing of notes.

        You are urged to consult your own tax advisor with respect to the application of the U.S. federal income tax laws to your particular situation, as well as any tax considerations arising under other U.S. federal tax laws, the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction or any applicable income tax treaty.

Certain Additional Payments

        Certain debt instruments that provide for one or more contingent payments are subject to Treasury Regulations governing contingent payment debt instruments. A payment is not treated as a contingent payment under these regulations if, as of the issue date of the debt instrument, the contingencies that could give rise to an additional payment on the debt instrument in excess of stated interest or principal are remote or incidental (considered individually and in the aggregate). In certain circumstances (see the discussion of "Description of the Notes") we may pay amounts on the notes that are in excess of the stated interest or principal of the notes. We intend to take the position that the possibility that any such payment will be made is remote. Accordingly, we will not treat the notes as contingent payment debt instruments. Our determination that these contingencies are remote is binding on you unless you disclose your contrary position to the IRS in the manner that is required by applicable Treasury Regulations. Our determination is not, however, binding on the IRS. It is possible that the IRS might take a different position from that described above, in which case the timing, character and amount of taxable income in respect of the notes may be different from that described herein. In any event, if we actually make any such payment, the timing, amount and character of a holder's income, gain or loss with respect to the notes may be affected. The remainder of this discussion assumes that the notes will not be contingent payment debt instruments. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the potential application to the notes of the rules regarding contingent payment debt instruments and the consequences thereof.

U.S. Holders

        A "U.S. holder" is a beneficial owner of notes that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is:

Exchange of an Old Note for a New Note Pursuant to the Exchange Offer

        Because the new notes will not differ materially in kind or extent from the old notes, the exchange will not constitute a taxable event for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Rather, the new notes will be treated as a continuation of the old notes. Consequently, (i) you will recognize no gain or loss upon receipt of a new note, (ii) your holding period for the new note will include your holding period for the old note exchanged therefor, and (iii) your basis in the new note will be the same as your basis in the old note exchanged therefor immediately before the exchange.

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Pre-Issuance Accrued Interest

        For U.S. holders that purchased old notes at their original issuance on October 19, 2011, in accordance with applicable Treasury Regulations we take the position that on the first interest payment date, a portion of the interest payment received by the U.S. holder is treated as a return of the amount of "Pre-Issuance Accrued Interest" that was paid by such U.S. holder when purchasing an old note, rather than as taxable interest, as if the U.S. holder had purchased a debt instrument on the secondary market between interest payment dates. "Pre-Issuance Accrued Interest" is the amount of unpaid interest on the already outstanding old notes that accrued between August 15, 2011 and October 19, 2011. U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors concerning the treatment of the Pre-Issuance Accrued Interest on the new notes.

Taxation of Interest

        Interest on the new notes (which should exclude the Pre-Issuance Accrued Interest described above) is generally taxable to you as ordinary income:

As described above, for U.S. holders that purchased notes at their original issuance on October 19, 2011, we take the position that on the first interest payment date, the portion of the cash interest payment received in an amount equal to the Pre-Issuance Accrued Interest is treated as a return of the Pre-Issuance Accrued Interest and not as a payment of stated interest on the note.

Amortizable Bond Premium

        If a U.S. holder purchased an old note at its original issuance on October 19, 2011 for an amount (which should exclude any amount attributable to the Pre-Issuance Accrued Interest) in excess of the amount payable at maturity of the old note, the U.S. holder will be considered to have purchased the old note with "amortizable bond premium" equal in amount to the excess of the U.S. holder's purchase price for the old note over the amount payable at maturity of the old note (or on an earlier call date if it would result in a smaller amortizable bond premium). The amortizable bond premium with respect to a new note will be equal to the amortizable bond premium with respect to the old note exchanged therefor in the exchange offer. Generally, a U.S. holder may elect to amortize such bond premium as an offset to interest income, using a constant yield method. However, under the applicable Treasury Regulations, for purposes of calculating the amortization, it is assumed that we will exercise any redemption rights in a manner that maximizes the U.S. holder's yield to maturity and, consequently, such amortization may be reduced and/or deferred. If a U.S. holder makes such an election, the U.S. holder's tax basis in the note will be reduced by the amount of the allowable amortization. If a U.S. holder does not elect to amortize bond premium, the premium will decrease the gain or increase the loss that such U.S. holder would otherwise recognize on a disposition of its note. An election to amortize bond premium applies to all taxable debt obligations held during or after the taxable year for which the election is made and may be revoked only with the consent of the IRS. U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors before making this election and regarding the calculation and amortization of any bond premium on the notes.

Sale or Other Disposition of Notes

        You generally must recognize taxable gain or loss on the sale, exchange, redemption, retirement or other taxable disposition of a note (but not including the exchange of an old note for a new note in connection with this exchange offer). The amount of your gain or loss equals the difference between (i) the sum of the amount of cash plus the fair market value of all other property you receive for the

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note (to the extent such amount does not represent payment of accrued but unpaid interest, which will be taxable as ordinary income in the manner described above and which should include, for this purpose, any amount attributable to Pre-Issuance Accrued Interest described above), and (ii) your tax basis in the note. Your initial tax basis in a note generally is the price you paid for the note (which should exclude any amount attributable to Pre-Issuance Accrued Interest), and if a U.S. holder elects to amortize bond premium as described above under "—U.S. Holders—Amortizable Bond Premium," reduced by the amount of the bond premium used to offset interest income. Any such gain or loss on a taxable disposition of a note will generally constitute capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if you hold such note for more than one year. Long-term capital gains of individuals and other non-corporate U.S. holders are generally eligible for preferential rates of taxation. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

        Information reporting may apply to payments of interest on, or the proceeds of the sale or other disposition (including a retirement or redemption) of, notes held by you, and backup withholding generally will apply to such amounts unless you provide us or the appropriate intermediary with a taxpayer identification number, certified under penalties of perjury, and comply with certain certification procedures, or you otherwise establish an exemption from backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amount withheld under the backup withholding rules is allowable as a credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, and a refund may be obtained if the amounts withheld exceed your actual U.S. federal income tax liability and you provide the required information or appropriate claim form to the IRS on a timely basis.

Non-U.S. Holders

        This discussion applies to you if you are a "non-U.S. holder." You are a "non-U.S. holder" for purposes of this discussion if you are a beneficial owner of notes and are for U.S. federal income tax purposes an individual, corporation, estate or trust that is not a U.S. holder.

        Special rules may apply to certain non-U.S. holders, such as "controlled foreign corporations", "passive foreign investment companies", "foreign personal holding companies" and corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax, that are subject to special treatment under the Code. Such entities should consult their own tax advisors to determine the United States federal, state, local and other tax consequences that may be relevant to them.

Exchange of an Old Note for a New Note Pursuant to the Exchange Offer

        The tax consequences of the exchange offer to Non-U.S. holders are the same as described above under the heading "—U.S. Holders—Exchange of an Old Note for a New Note Pursuant to the Exchange Offer."

Income and Withholding Tax on Payments on the New Notes

        Subject to the discussion of backup withholding below, you will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax on payments of interest on a note, provided that:

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        The applicable Treasury Regulations provide alternative methods for satisfying the certification requirement described above. In addition, special rules may apply to holders who hold notes through "qualified intermediaries" within the meaning of U.S. federal income tax laws.

        If interest on a note is effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States and, if you are entitled to benefits under an applicable income tax treaty, such interest is attributable to a permanent establishment or a fixed base maintained by you in the United States, then such income generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis at the rates applicable to U.S. holders generally (and, if you are a corporate non-U.S. holder, such income may also be subject to a 30% branch profits tax or such lower rate as may be available under an applicable income tax treaty). If interest is subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis in accordance with the rules described in the preceding sentence, payments of such interest will not be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax so long as you provide the applicable withholding agent with a properly completed Form W-8ECI (or other applicable form), signed under penalties of perjury.

        A non-U.S. holder that does not qualify for exemption from withholding under the preceding paragraphs generally will be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at the rate of 30% on payments of interest on the notes, unless such non-U.S. holder provides the applicable withholding agent with a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN (or other applicable form) claiming an exemption from or reduction in withholding under the benefit of an applicable income tax treaty.

        NON-U.S. HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS ABOUT ANY APPLICABLE INCOME TAX TREATIES, WHICH MAY PROVIDE FOR AN EXEMPTION FROM OR A LOWER RATE OF WITHHOLDING TAX, EXEMPTION FROM OR REDUCTION OF BRANCH PROFITS TAX, OR OTHER RULES DIFFERENT FROM THOSE DESCRIBED ABOVE.

Sale or Other Disposition of Notes

        Subject to the discussion of backup withholding below, any gain realized by you on the sale, exchange, redemption, retirement or other disposition of a note generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax, unless:

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        If the first bullet point applies, you generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax with respect to such gain in the same manner as U.S. holders, as described above. In addition, if you are a corporation, you may also be subject to the branch profits tax described above. If the third bullet point applies, you generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or at a reduced rate under an applicable income tax treaty) on the amount by which your capital gains from U.S. sources, including gain from such disposition, exceed your capital losses allocable to U.S. sources recognized in the same taxable year as the disposition, even though you are not considered a resident of the United States under the Code.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

        Payments to you of interest on a note, and amounts withheld from such payments, if any, generally will be required to be reported to the IRS and to you and information returns reporting such payments and any withholding may also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which you reside under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty or agreement. These reporting requirements apply regardless of whether withholding was reduced or eliminated by an applicable income tax treaty. Backup withholding generally will not apply to payments of interest and principal on a note if you duly provide a certification as to your non-U.S. status, or you otherwise establish an exemption, provided that we or our paying agent do not have actual knowledge or reason to know that you are a United States person.

        Payment of the proceeds on the sale or other disposition of a note by you within the United States or conducted through certain U.S.-related intermediaries generally will not be subject to information reporting requirements and backup withholding provided you properly certify under penalties of perjury as to your non-U.S. status and certain other conditions are met, or you otherwise establish an exemption.

        Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amount withheld under the backup withholding rules is allowable as a credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, and a refund may be obtained if the amounts withheld exceed your actual U.S. federal income tax liability and you provide the required information or appropriate claim form to the IRS on a timely basis.

        THE PRECEDING DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND IS NOT TAX ADVICE. EACH PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR SHOULD CONSULT ITS OWN TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE PARTICULAR U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND NON-U.S. TAX CONSEQUENCES OF PURCHASING, HOLDING, AND DISPOSING OF OUR NOTES, INCLUDING THE CONSEQUENCES OF ANY PROPOSED CHANGE IN APPLICABLE LAWS.

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

        You may transfer new notes issued under the exchange offer in exchange for the old notes if:

        Each broker-dealer that receives new notes for its own account pursuant to the exchange offer in exchange for old notes that were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making or other trading activities must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such new notes. This prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of new notes received in exchange for old notes where such old notes were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities.

        If you wish to exchange new notes for your old notes in the exchange offer, you will be required to make representations to us as described in "Exchange Offer—Purpose and Effect of the Exchange Offer" and "Exchange Offer—Procedures for Tendering—Your Representations to Us" in this prospectus and in the letter of transmittal. In addition, if you are a broker-dealer who receives new notes for your own account in exchange for old notes that were acquired by you as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, you will be required to acknowledge that you will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale by you of such new notes.

        We will not receive any proceeds from any sale of new notes by broker-dealers. New notes received by broker-dealers for their own account pursuant to the exchange offer may be sold from time to time on one or more transactions in any of the following ways:

        Any such resale may be made directly to purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers who may receive compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from any such broker-dealer or the purchasers of any such new notes.

        Any broker-dealer that resells new notes that were received by it for its own account pursuant to the exchange offer in exchange for old notes that were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making or other trading activities may be deemed to be an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act. The letter of transmittal states that by acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act. We agreed to permit the use of this prospectus for a period of up to 180 days after the date of this prospectus (or such shorter period during which exchanging broker-dealer or initial purchaser is required by law to deliver a prospectus). Furthermore, we agreed to amend or supplement this prospectus during such period if so requested in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of any new notes by broker-dealers.

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        We have agreed to pay all expenses incident to the exchange offer other than transfer taxes, if any, and will indemnify the holders of the old notes (including any broker-dealers) against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.


LEGAL MATTERS

        The validity of the new notes offered in this exchange offer will be passed upon for us by Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, Houston, Texas, our outside counsel.


EXPERTS

        The balance sheet of Laredo Petroleum Holdings, Inc. as of August 12, 2011 and the combined financial statements of Laredo Petroleum as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 and for each of the years in the three year period ended December 31, 2010, included in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement have been so included in reliance upon the reports of Grant Thornton LLP, independent registered public accountants, upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing in giving said reports.

        The statement of revenues and direct operating expenses of the interests of Linn Energy Holdings, LLC, Linn Operating, Inc., Mid-Continent I, LLC, Mid-Continent II, LLC, and Linn Exploration MidContinent, LLC in certain oil and gas properties acquired by Laredo Petroleum, Inc. and subsidiaries for the period from January 1, 2008 to August 14, 2008, included in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement have been so included in reliance upon the report of Grant Thornton LLP, independent certified public accountants, upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing in giving said report.

        The combined estimates of our proved reserves as of December 31, 2010 and June 30, 2011, as well as the estimates of Laredo Inc.'s proved reserves as of December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2009 included in this prospectus are based on a reserve report prepared by Ryder Scott Company, L.P., independent petroleum engineers. These estimates are included in this prospectus in reliance upon the authority of the firm as experts in these matters.


WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

        We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4 under the Securities Act with respect to our exchange of the new notes. This prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto. You will find additional information about us and the new notes in the registration statement. The registration statement and exhibits and schedules thereto may be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains an internet site that contains reports and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC (http://www.sec.gov), including us. Statements made in this prospectus about legal documents may not necessarily be complete and you should read the documents which are filed as exhibits to the registration statement otherwise filed with the SEC.

        You should rely only upon the information provided in this prospectus and the exhibits attached hereto. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date of this prospectus.

        The SEC's proxy rules and regulations do not, nor do the rules of any stock exchange, require us to send an annual report to security holders or to holders of American depository receipts. Upon the effectiveness of this registration statement, we will become subject to the Exchange Act's reporting requirements, including the requirement to file current, annual and quarterly reports with the SEC. The annual reports we file will contain financial information that has been examined and reported on, with an opinion by an independent certified public accounting firm.

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ANNEX A:
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
TO TENDER
OLD 91/2% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2019
OF
LAREDO PETROLEUM, INC.
PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND PROSPECTUS
DATED DECEMBER 12, 2011

THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M.,
NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON JANUARY 12, 2012 (THE "EXPIRATION DATE"), UNLESS
THE EXCHANGE OFFER IS EXTENDED BY THE ISSUER.

        The Exchange Agent for the Exchange Offer is Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and its contact information is as follows:

By Registered or Certified Mail:   By Regular Mail or Overnight Courier:   In Person by Hand Only:
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.   Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.   Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
Corporate Trust Operations
MAC N9303—121
PO Box 1517
Minneapolis, MN 55480
  Corporate Trust Operations
MAC N9303—121
Sixth & Marquette Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55479
  12th Floor—Northstar East Building
Corporate Trust Operations
608 Second Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55402

By Facsimile (for Eligible Institutions Only):
(612) 667-6282

For Information or Confirmation by Telephone:
(800) 344-5128

        If you wish to exchange old 91/2% Senior Notes due 2019 for an equal aggregate principal amount of new 91/2% Senior Notes due 2019 pursuant to the Exchange Offer, you must validly tender (and not withdraw) old notes to the Exchange Agent prior to the Expiration Date.

        We refer you to the Prospectus, dated December 12, 2011 (the "Prospectus"), of Laredo Petroleum, Inc. (the "Issuer"), and this Letter of Transmittal (the "Letter of Transmittal"), which together describe the Issuer's offer (the "Exchange Offer") to exchange its 91/2% Senior Notes due 2019 (the "new notes") that have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), for a like principal amount of its issued and outstanding 91/2% Senior Notes due 2019 (the "old notes"). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the respective meaning given to them in the Prospectus.

        The Issuer reserves the right, at any time or from time to time, to extend the Exchange Offer at its discretion, in which event the term "Expiration Date" shall mean the latest date to which the Exchange Offer is extended. The Issuer shall notify the Exchange Agent and each registered holder of the old notes of any extension by oral or written notice prior to 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day after the previously scheduled Expiration Date.

        This Letter of Transmittal is to be used by holders of the old notes. Tender of old notes is to be made according to the Automated Tender Offer Program ("ATOP") of The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") pursuant to the procedures set forth in the Prospectus under the caption "Exchange Offer—Procedures for Tendering." DTC participants that are accepting the Exchange Offer must transmit their acceptance to DTC, which will verify the acceptance and execute a book-entry delivery to the Exchange Agent's DTC account. DTC will then send a computer generated message known as an "agent's message" (an "Agent's Message") to the Exchange Agent for its acceptance. For you to validly tender

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your old notes in the Exchange Offer, the Exchange Agent must receive, prior to the Expiration Date, an Agent's Message under the ATOP procedures that confirms that:

        BY USING THE ATOP PROCEDURES TO TENDER OLD NOTES, YOU WILL NOT BE REQUIRED TO DELIVER THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT. HOWEVER, YOU WILL BE BOUND BY ITS TERMS, AND YOU WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE MADE THE ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES IT CONTAINS, JUST AS IF YOU HAD SIGNED IT.

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PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

        1.     By tendering old notes in the Exchange Offer, you acknowledge receipt of the Prospectus and this Letter of Transmittal.

        2.     By tendering old notes in the Exchange Offer, you represent and warrant that you have full authority to tender the old notes described above and will, upon request, execute and deliver any additional documents deemed by the Issuer to be necessary or desirable to complete the tender of old notes.

        3.     You understand that the tender of the old notes pursuant to all of the procedures set forth in the Prospectus will constitute an agreement between you and the Issuer as to the terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus.

        4.     By tendering old notes in the Exchange Offer, you acknowledge that the Exchange Offer is being made in reliance upon interpretations contained in no-action letters issued to third parties by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including Exxon Capital Holdings Corp., SEC No-Action Letter (available April 13, 1989), Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc., SEC No-Action Letter (available June 5, 1991) and Shearman & Sterling, SEC No-Action Letter (available July 2, 1993), that the new notes issued in exchange for the old notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by holders thereof without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act (other than a broker-dealer who purchased old notes exchanged for such new notes directly from the Issuer to resell pursuant to Rule 144A or any other available exemption under the Securities Act and any such holder that is an "affiliate" of the Issuer within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act), provided that such new notes are acquired in the ordinary course of such holders' business and such holders are not participating in, and have no arrangement with any other person to participate in, the distribution of such new notes.

        5.     By tendering old notes in the Exchange Offer, you hereby represent and warrant that:

        You may, if you are unable to make all of the representations and warranties contained in Item 5 above and as otherwise permitted in the Registration Rights Agreements (as defined below), elect to have your old notes registered in the shelf registration statement described in the Registration Rights Agreements, dated as of January 20, 2011 and October 19, 2011 (the "Registration Rights Agreements"), by and among the Issuer, the several guarantors named therein, and the Initial Purchasers (as defined therein). Such election may be made by notifying the Issuer in writing at 15 W. Sixth Street, Suite 1800, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119, Attention: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. By making such election, you agree, as a holder of old notes participating in a shelf registration, to indemnify and hold harmless the Issuer, each of the directors of the Issuer, each of the officers of the Issuer who signs such shelf registration statement, each person who controls the Issuer

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within the meaning of either the Securities Act or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and each other holder of old notes, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities caused by any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any shelf registration statement or prospectus, or in any supplement thereto or amendment thereof, or caused by the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; but only with respect to information relating to you furnished in writing by or on behalf of you expressly for use in a shelf registration statement, a prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto. Any such indemnification shall be governed by the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Registration Rights Agreements, including, without limitation, the provisions regarding notice, retention of counsel, contribution and payment of expenses set forth therein. The above summary of the indemnification provision of the Registration Rights Agreements is not intended to be exhaustive and is qualified in its entirety by the Registration Rights Agreements.

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INSTRUCTIONS

FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER

1.
Book-Entry Confirmations.
2.
Partial Tenders.
3.
Validity of Tenders.
4.
Waiver of Conditions.
5.
No Conditional Tender.

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6.
Request for Assistance or Additional Copies.
7.
Withdrawal.
8.
No Guarantee of Late Delivery.

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ANNEX B: GLOSSARY OF OIL AND NATURAL GAS TERMS

        The terms defined in this section are used throughout this prospectus:

        "2D"—Method for collecting, processing and interpreting seismic data in two dimensions.

        "3D"—Method for collecting, processing, and interpreting seismic data in three dimensions.

        "Basin"—A large natural depression on the earth's surface in which sediments generally brought by water accumulate.

        "Bbl"—One stock tank barrel, of 42 U.S. gallons liquid volume, used herein in reference to crude oil, condensate or natural gas liquids.

        "Bcf"—One billion cubic feet of natural gas.

        "Bcfe"—One billion cubic feet of natural gas equivalent with one barrel of oil converted to six thousand cubic feet of natural gas.

        "BOE"—Barrel of oil equivalent.

        "Btu"—British thermal unit.

        "Btu per Mcf"—British thermal unit per one thousand cubic feet of natural gas.

        "Completion"—The process of treating a drilled well followed by the installation of permanent equipment for the production of natural gas or oil, or in the case of a dry hole, the reporting of abandonment to the appropriate agency.

        "DD&A"—Depreciation, depletion, amortization and accretion.

        "Developed acreage"—The number of acres that are allocated or assignable to productive wells or wells capable of production.

        "Development well"—A well drilled within the proved area of an oil or natural gas reservoir to the depth of a stratigraphic horizon known to be productive.

        "Dry hole"—A well found to be incapable of producing hydrocarbons in sufficient quantities such that proceeds from the sale of such production exceed production expenses and taxes.

        "Exploratory well"—A well drilled to find and produce natural gas or oil reserves not classified as proved, to find a new reservoir in a field previously found to be productive of natural gas or oil in another reservoir or to extend a known reservoir.

        "Farm-in" or "farm-out"—An agreement under which the owner of a working interest in a natural gas and oil lease assigns the working interest or a portion of the working interest to another party who desires to drill on the leased acreage. Generally, the assignee is required to drill one or more wells in order to earn its interest in the acreage. The assignor usually retains a royalty or reversionary interest in the lease. The interest received by an assignee is a "farm-in" while the interest transferred by the assignor is a "farm-out."

        "Field"—An area consisting of a single reservoir or multiple reservoirs all grouped on, or related to, the same individual geological structural feature or stratigraphic condition. The field name refers to the surface area, although it may refer to both the surface and the underground productive formations.

        "Formation"—A layer of rock which has distinct characteristics that differs from nearby rock.

        "Gross acres" or "gross wells"—The total acres or wells, as the case may be, in which a working interest is owned.

        "HBP"—Held by production.

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        "Horizon"—A term used to denote a surface in or of rock, or a distinctive layer of rock that might be represented by a reflection in seismic data.

        "Horizontal drilling"—A drilling technique used in certain formations where a well is drilled vertically to a certain depth and then drilled at a right angle within a specified interval.

        "Identified potential drilling locations"—Locations specifically identified by management as an estimation of our multi-year drilling activities based on evaluation of applicable geologic, seismic, engineering, production and reserves data on contiguous acreage and geologic formations. The availability of local infrastructure, drilling support assets and other factors as management may deem relevant, such as spacing requirements, easement restrictions and state and local regulations, are considered in determining such locations. The drilling locations on which we actually drill wells will ultimately depend upon the availability of capital, regulatory approvals, seasonal restrictions, oil and natural gas prices, costs, actual drilling results and other factors.

        "Liquids"—Describes oil, condensate and natural gas liquids.

        "MBbl"—One thousand barrels of crude oil, condensate or natural gas liquids.

        "MBoe"—One thousand barrels of oil equivalent.

        "MBOE/D"—MBOE per day.

        "Mcf"—One thousand cubic feet of natural gas.

        "MMBbl"—One million barrels of crude oil, condensate or natural gas liquids.

        "MMBOE"—One million barrels of oil equivalent.

        "MMBtu"—One million British thermal units.

        "MMcf"—One million cubic feet of natural gas.

        "MMcfe"—Million cubic feet equivalent, determined using the ratio of six Mcf of natural gas to one Bbl of crude oil, condensate or natural gas liquids.

        "MMcfe/d"—MMcfe per day.

        "Natural gas liquid"—Components of natural gas that are separated from the gas state in the form of liquids, which include propane, butanes and ethane, among others.

        "Net acres"—The percentage of total acres an owner has out of a particular number of acres, or a specified tract. An owner who has 50% interest in 100 acres owns 50 net acres.

        "NYMEX"—The New York Mercantile Exchange.

        "Potential drilling locations"—Total gross locations that we may be able to drill on our existing acreage. Our actual drilling activities may change depending on the availability of capital, regulatory approvals, seasonal restrictions, natural gas and oil prices, costs, drilling results and other factors.

        "Productive well"—A well that is found to be capable of producing hydrocarbons in sufficient quantities such that proceeds from the sale of the production exceed production expenses and taxes.

        "Prospect"—A specific geographic area which, based on supporting geological, geophysical or other data and also preliminary economic analysis using reasonably anticipated prices and costs, is deemed to have potential for the discovery of commercial hydrocarbons.

        "Proved developed non-producing reserves ("PDNP")"—Developed non-producing reserves.

        "Proved developed reserves ("PDP")"—Reserves that can be expected to be recovered through existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods.

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        "Proved reserves"—The estimated quantities of oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids which geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be commercially recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions.

        "Proved undeveloped reserves ("PUD")"—Proved reserves that are expected to be recovered from new wells on undrilled acreage or from existing wells where a relatively major expenditure is required for recompletion.

        "PV-10"—When used with respect to natural gas and oil reserves, PV-10 means the estimated future gross revenue to be generated from the production of proved reserves, net of estimated production and future development and abandonment costs, using prices and costs in effect at the determination date, before income taxes, and without giving effect to non-property related expenses, discounted to a present value using an annual discount rate of 10% in accordance with the guidelines of the SEC. PV-10 is not a financial measure calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and generally differs from Standardized Measure, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, because it does not include the effects of income taxes on future net revenues. Neither PV-10 nor Standardized Measure represents an estimate of the fair market value of our natural gas and oil properties. We and others in the industry use PV-10 as a measure to compare the relative size and value of proved reserves held by companies without regard to the specific tax characteristics of such entities.

        "Recompletion"—The process of re-entering an existing wellbore that is either producing or not producing and completing new reservoirs in an attempt to establish or increase existing production.

        "Reservoir"—A porous and permeable underground formation containing a natural accumulation of producible oil and/or natural gas that is confined by impermeable rock or water barriers and is separate from other reservoirs.

        "Residue natural gas"—Natural gas remaining after natural gas liquids extraction.

        "Spacing"—The distance between wells producing from the same reservoir. Spacing is often expressed in terms of acres, e.g., 40-acre spacing, and is often established by regulatory agencies.

        "Standardized measure"—Discounted future net cash flows estimated by applying year-end prices to the estimated future production of year-end proved reserves. Future cash inflows are reduced by estimated future production and development costs based on period-end costs to determine pre-tax cash inflows. Future income taxes, if applicable, are computed by applying the statutory tax rate to the excess of pre-tax cash inflows over our tax basis in the natural gas and oil properties. Future net cash inflows after income taxes are discounted using a 10% annual discount rate.

        "Undeveloped acreage"—Lease acreage on which wells have not been drilled or completed to a point that would permit the production of commercial quantities of natural gas and oil regardless of whether such acreage contains proved reserves.

        "Unit"—The joining of all or substantially all interests in a reservoir or field, rather than a single tract, to provide for development and operation without regard to separate property interests. Also, the area covered by a unitization agreement.

        "Wellbore"—The hole drilled by the bit that is equipped for natural gas production on a completed well. Also called well or borehole.

        "Wellhead natural gas"—Natural gas produced at or near the well.

        "Working interest"—The right granted to the lessee of a property to explore for and to produce and own natural gas or other minerals. The working interest owners bear the exploration, development, and operating costs on either a cash, penalty, or carried basis.

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Index to financial statements

 
  Page  

Laredo Petroleum, LLC and subsidiaries

       
 

Consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 (unaudited)

    F-2  
 

Consolidated statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 (unaudited)

    F-3  
 

Consolidated statement of owners' equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 (unaudited)

    F-4  
 

Consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 (unaudited)

    F-5  
 

Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements (unaudited)

    F-6  

Laredo Petroleum

       
 

Report of independent registered public accounting firm

    F-43  
 

Combined balance sheets as of December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009

    F-44  
 

Combined statements of operations for the three years ended December 31, 2010

    F-45  
 

Combined statements of owners' equity for the three years ended December 31, 2010

    F-46  
 

Combined statements of cash flows for the three years ended December 31, 2010

    F-47  
 

Notes to the combined financial statements

    F-48  
 

Supplemental oil and gas disclosures

    F-87  

Laredo Petroleum Holdings, Inc.

       
 

Report of independent registered public accounting firm

    F-93  
 

Balance sheet as of August 12, 2011

    F-94  
 

Notes to the balance sheet

    F-95  

Linn Acquisition Properties

       
 

Report of independent certified public accountants

    F-96  
 

Statement of revenues and direct operating expenses for the period from January 1, 2008 to August 14, 2008

    F-97  
 

Notes to the statement of revenues and direct operating expenses

    F-98  

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Laredo Petroleum, LLC and subsidiaries

Consolidated balance sheets

September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010

(in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 
  September 30, 2011   December 31, 2010  

ASSETS

             

CURRENT ASSETS:

             
 

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 28,249   $ 31,235  
 

Accounts receivable, net:

             
   

Oil and gas sales

    41,310     31,773  
   

Joint operations

    16,580     12,031  
   

Other

    429     135  
 

Materials and supplies

    4,060     4,154  
 

Prepaid expenses

    2,715     1,483  
 

Derivative financial instruments

    23,653     8,376  
 

Deferred income taxes

        11,229  
           
     

Total current assets

    116,996     100,416  
           

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:

             
 

Oil and gas properties, full cost method:

             
   

Proved properties

    1,874,969     1,379,885  
   

Unproved properties not being amortized

    108,029     96,515  
 

Pipeline and gas gathering assets

    52,399     43,271  
 

Other fixed assets

    16,223     10,869  
           

    2,051,620     1,530,540  
 

Less accumulated depreciation, depletion, amortization and impairment

    835,563     720,647  
           
     

Net property and equipment

    1,216,057     809,893  
           

OTHER ASSETS, net

    1,134     85  

MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES

    1,889     1,886  

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES

    104,149     143,723  

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

    16,103     1,804  

DEFERRED LOAN COSTS, net

    20,175     10,353  
           
     

Total assets

  $ 1,476,503   $ 1,068,160  
           

LIABILITIES AND OWNERS' EQUITY

             

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

             
 

Accounts payable

  $ 34,115   $ 41,338  
 

Undistributed revenue and royalties

    24,963     10,664  
 

Accrued capital expenditures

    58,563     65,900  
 

Accrued compensation and benefits

    7,076     8,778  
 

Other accrued liabilities

    17,075     10,854  
 

Current portion of asset retirement obligations

    376     731  
 

Derivative financial instruments

    2,930     11,978  
 

Deferred income taxes

    7,776      
           
     

Total current liabilities

    152,874     150,243  

LONG-TERM DEBT

    875,000     491,600  

GAS IMBALANCES

    905     1,093  

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

    359     5,987  

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

    8,711     7,547  

DEFERRED LEASE LIABILITY

    443     591  
           
     

Total liabilities

    1,038,292     657,061  
           

OWNERS' EQUITY, per accompanying statement

    438,211     411,099  
           
     

Total liabilities and owners' equity

  $ 1,476,503   $ 1,068,160  
           

The accompanying condensed notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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Laredo Petroleum, LLC and subsidiaries

Consolidated statements of operations

For the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010

(in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 
  Nine months ended September 30,  
 
  2011   2010  

REVENUES:

             
 

Oil and gas sales

  $ 368,059   $ 155,422  
 

Natural gas transportation and treating

    3,239     1,636  
 

Drilling and production

    9     3  
           
     

Total revenues

    371,307     157,061  
           

COSTS AND EXPENSES:

             
 

Lease operating expenses

    29,258     14,916  
 

Production and ad valorem taxes

    23,330     10,104  
 

Natural gas transportation and treating

    1,167     2,058  
 

Drilling and production

    1,407     166  
 

General and administrative

    38,234     22,705  
 

Accretion of asset retirement obligations

    456     340  
 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    114,976     60,363  
 

Impairment expense

    243      
           
     

Total costs and expenses

    209,071     110,652  
           

OPERATING INCOME

    162,236     46,409  
           

NON-OPERATING INCOME (EXPENSE):

             
 

Realized and unrealized gain (loss):

             
   

Commodity derivative financial instruments, net

    42,851     29,583  
   

Interest rate derivatives, net

    (1,317 )   (5,890 )
 

Interest expense

    (35,062 )   (11,869 )
 

Interest income

    83     125  
 

Write-off of deferred loan costs

    (6,195 )    
 

Loss on disposal of assets

    (35 )   (30 )
 

Other

    6      
           
     

Non-operating income, net

    331     11,919  
           
 

Income before income taxes

    162,567     58,328  
           

INCOME TAX EXPENSE:

             
 

Deferred

    (58,579 )   (7,170 )
           
     

Total income tax expense

    (58,579 )   (7,170 )
           

NET INCOME

  $ 103,988   $ 51,158  
           

The accompanying condensed notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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Table of Contents


Laredo Petroleum, LLC and subsidiaries

Consolidated statement of owners' equity

For the nine months ended September 30, 2011

(in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 
  Series A   BOE Preferred   Restricted Units    
   
   
 
 
  Other
equity
interests
  Accumulated
deficit
   
 
 
  Units   Amount   Units   Amount   Units   Amount   Total  

BALANCE, December 31, 2010

    99,870   $ 549,187       $     31,432   $ 4,504   $ 155,596   $ (298,188 ) $ 411,099  

Equity-based compensation

                    9,529     4,955     132         5,087  

Cancellation of restricted units

                    (369 )                

Broad Oak Transaction

            88,986     73,765             (155,728 )       (81,963 )

Net income

                                103,988     103,988  
                                       

BALANCE, September 30, 2011

    99,870   $ 549,187     88,986   $ 73,765     40,592   $ 9,459   $   $ (194,200 ) $ 438,211  
                                       

The accompanying condensed notes are an integral part of this consolidated financial statement.

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Table of Contents


Laredo Petroleum, LLC and subsidiaries

Consolidated statements of cash flows

For the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010

(in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 
  Nine months ended
September 30,
 
 
  2011   2010  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

             
 

Net income

  $ 103,988   $ 51,158  
 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

             
     

Deferred income tax expense

    58,579     7,170  
     

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    114,976     60,363  
     

Impairment expense

    243      
     

Non-cash equity-based compensation

    5,087     1,023  
     

Accretion of asset retirement obligations

    456     340  
     

Unrealized gain on derivative financial instruments, net

    (44,047 )   (12,023 )
     

Premiums paid for derivative financial instruments

    (534 )   (3,491 )
     

Amortization of premiums paid for derivative financial instruments

    329     87  
     

Amortization of deferred loan costs

    2,815     1,364  
     

Write-off of deferred loan costs

    6,195      
     

Amortization of other assets

    15     15  
     

Loss on disposal of assets

    11     30  
 

Changes in assets and liabilities:

             
     

Change in accounts receivable

    (14,380 )   (11,955 )
     

Change in materials and supplies

    (152 )   (4,018 )
     

Change in prepaid expenses

    (1,232 )   805  
     

Change in other assets

    (1,064 )    
     

Change in accounts payable

    (15,717 )   (5,422 )
     

Change in undistributed revenue and royalties

    14,299     541  
     

Change in accrued compensation and benefits

    (1,702 )   2,786  
     

Change in other accrued liabilities

    5,606     2,007  
     

Change in deferred lease liability

    (98 )   (26 )
           
       

Net cash provided by operating activities

    233,673     90,754  
           

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

             
 

Capital expenditures:

             
   

Oil and gas properties

    (503,921 )   (306,003 )
   

Pipeline and gathering assets

    (9,717 )   (2,080 )
   

Other fixed assets

    (5,647 )   (1,543 )
 

Proceeds from other fixed asset disposals

    21     69  
           
       

Net cash used in investing activities

    (519,264 )   (309,557 )
           

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

             
 

Broad Oak Transaction

    (81,963 )    
 

Borrowings on revolving credit facilities

    630,100     182,600  
 

Payments on revolving credit facilities

    (496,700 )   (105,800 )
 

Borrowings on term loan

        100,000  
 

Payments on term loan

    (100,000 )    
 

Issuance of 2019 Notes

    350,000      
 

Purchase of units, net

        (287 )
 

Capital contributions

        61,725  
 

Payments for loan costs

    (18,832 )   (9,198 )
           
       

Net cash provided by financing activities

    282,605     229,040  
           

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

    (2,986 )   10,237  

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period

    31,235     14,987  
           

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period

  $ 28,249   $ 25,224  
           

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

             
   

Cash paid during the period:

             
     

Interest

  $ 28,510   $ 9,262  

The accompanying condensed notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-5


Table of Contents


Laredo Petroleum, LLC and subsidiaries

Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements

September 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

A—Organization

        Laredo Petroleum, Inc. ("Laredo"), a Delaware corporation, was incorporated on October 10, 2006, for the purpose of acquiring, developing and operating oil and gas producing properties on its behalf and on the behalf of others. On October 20, 2006, Laredo entered into a consulting agreement with Warburg Pincus Private Equity IX, L.P. ("Warburg Pincus IX") under which Laredo, as an independent contractor, agreed to pursue and develop acquisition and investment opportunities in the oil and gas industry for the benefit of Warburg Pincus IX and certain of its affiliates (collectively, the "Warburg Pincus Partnerships").

        Laredo Petroleum Texas, LLC ("Laredo Texas"), a Texas limited liability company, was formed in 2007 and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Laredo. Laredo Texas was formed to acquire ownership interest in certain oil and gas properties primarily in Hansford, Hutchinson, Roberts and Ochiltree Counties, Texas.

        Laredo Gas Services, LLC ("Laredo Gas"), a Delaware limited liability company, was formed in 2007 and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Laredo. Laredo Gas was formed to own and operate gathering and marketing assets and related facilities for Laredo and Laredo Texas.

        In May 2007, Warburg Pincus IX and certain members of Laredo's management contributed their common stock in Laredo to Laredo Petroleum, LLC ("Laredo LLC"), a Delaware limited liability company, and Laredo became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Laredo LLC. The consulting agreement between Laredo and Warburg Pincus IX was consequently terminated. Laredo LLC is focused on the exploration, development and acquisition of oil and natural gas in the Mid-Continent and Permian regions of the United States.

        Broad Oak Energy, Inc. ("Broad Oak"), a Delaware corporation, was formed on May 11, 2006, and prior to the Broad Oak Transaction (as defined below) was engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development and production of oil and natural gas in the southwestern United States. Immediately upon formation, Broad Oak entered into a stock purchase agreement with Warburg Pincus IX and Broad Oak management.

        On July 1, 2011, Laredo LLC and Laredo completed the acquisition of Broad Oak, which became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Laredo. In connection with the transaction, Laredo LLC issued: (i) approximately 86.5 million preferred equity units to Warburg Pincus IX and its affiliate in exchange for the convertible preferred stock previously held in Broad Oak; and (ii) approximately 2.4 million preferred equity units to Broad Oak's management and directors in exchange for certain of the vested common stock and convertible preferred stock previously held in Broad Oak. In addition, Laredo paid approximately $82 million in cash for certain Broad Oak vested common stock, convertible preferred stock and all outstanding and vested Broad Oak options that certain Broad Oak directors, management and employees elected to sell. All unvested shares of Broad Oak common stock and unvested Broad Oak options were cancelled. Immediately following the consummation of this transaction, Laredo LLC assigned 100% of its ownership interest in Broad Oak to Laredo as a contribution to capital (the transactions described in this paragraph collectively, the "Broad Oak Transaction"), and changed Broad Oak's name to Laredo Petroleum—Dallas, Inc. ("Laredo Dallas").

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Table of Contents


Laredo Petroleum, LLC and subsidiaries

Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements (Continued)

September 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

A—Organization (Continued)

        Laredo LLC and its subsidiaries and Broad Oak were commonly controlled by Warburg Pincus Partnerships, and as such the Broad Oak Transaction was accounted for in a manner similar to a pooling of interests. As a result, the accompanying unaudited historical financial statements give retrospective effect to the Broad Oak Transaction, whereby the assets and liabilities of Laredo LLC and subsidiaries and Broad Oak are reflected at the historical carrying values and their operations are presented as if they were consolidated for all periods. The consolidated equity statement presents Broad Oak's historical equity as "Other equity interests," all of which was exchanged for either (i) equity in Laredo LLC through BOE Preferred Units or (ii) cash in the Broad Oak Transaction.

        On August 12, 2011, Laredo LLC formed a new wholly-owned subsidiary, Laredo Petroleum Holdings, Inc. ("Laredo Holdings") in anticipation of an initial public offering ("IPO"). Immediately prior to the consummation of the IPO, Laredo LLC will be merged into Laredo Holdings and Laredo Holdings will continue as the surviving corporation.

        In these notes, the "Company" refers to Laredo LLC, Laredo Holdings, Laredo, Laredo Texas, Laredo Gas and Laredo Dallas, collectively.

B—Basis of presentation and significant accounting policies

1.    Basis of presentation

        The accompanying consolidated financial statements were derived from the historical accounting records of the Company and reflect the historical financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods described herein. As discussed in Note A, the Broad Oak Transaction was accounted for in a manner similar to a pooling of interests and the historical financial statements present the assets and liabilities of Laredo LLC and subsidiaries and Broad Oak at historical carrying values and their operations as if they were consolidated for all periods presented. All material intercompany transactions and account balances have been eliminated in the consolidation of accounts. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have not been audited, except that the balance sheet at December 31, 2010 is derived from the Company's audited combined financial statements. The Company operates oil and natural gas properties as one business segment, which explores for, develops and produces oil and natural gas.

        In the opinion of management, the accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect all necessary adjustments to present fairly the Company's financial position at September 30, 2011 and the results of its operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 and its cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.

        Certain disclosures have been condensed or omitted from these consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") for complete financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the audited combined financial statements and notes for the year ended December 31, 2010.

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Table of Contents


Laredo Petroleum, LLC and subsidiaries

Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements (Continued)

September 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

B—Basis of presentation and significant accounting policies (Continued)

2.    Use of estimates in the preparation of consolidated financial statements

        The preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management of the Company to make estimates and assumptions about future events. These estimates and the underlying assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Although management believes these estimates are reasonable, actual results could differ from these estimates.

        Significant estimates include, but are not limited to, estimates of the Company's reserves of oil and natural gas, future cash flows from oil and natural gas properties, depreciation, depletion and amortization, asset retirement obligations, equity-based compensation, deferred income taxes and fair values of commodity and interest rate derivatives. As fair value is a market-based measurement, it is determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use. These estimates and assumptions are based on management's best judgment. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, which management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Such estimates and assumptions are adjusted when facts and circumstances dictate. Illiquid credit markets and volatile equity and energy markets have combined to increase the uncertainty inherent in such estimates and assumptions. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ from these estimates. Any changes in estimates resulting from future changes in the economic environment will be reflected in the financial statements in future periods.

3.    Materials and supplies

        Materials and supplies are comprised of equipment used to develop and maintain oil and gas properties. They are carried at the lower of cost or market using the average cost method. On a regular basis, the Company reviews materials and supplies quantities on hand and records a provision for excess or obsolete materials and supplies, if necessary.

        During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company reduced materials and supplies by approximately $0.2 million in order to reflect the balance at the lower of cost or market. Although management believes it has established adequate allowances, it is possible that additional losses on materials and supplies could occur in future periods. The Company determined a lower of cost or market adjustment was not necessary for materials and supplies at December 31, 2010.

4.    Derivative financial instruments

        The Company uses derivative financial instruments to reduce exposure to fluctuations in the prices of oil and natural gas. In addition, the Company enters into derivative contracts in the form of interest rate swaps and caps to minimize the effects of fluctuations in interest rates.

        Derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair value and are included on the balance sheets as assets or liabilities. The Company netted the fair value of derivative instruments by counterparty in the accompanying balance sheets where the right of offset exists. The Company determines the fair

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Table of Contents


Laredo Petroleum, LLC and subsidiaries

Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements (Continued)

September 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

B—Basis of presentation and significant accounting policies (Continued)


value of its derivative financial instruments utilizing pricing models for significantly similar instruments. Inputs to the pricing models include publicly available prices and forward price curves generated from a compilation of data gathered from third parties.

        None of the Company's derivatives for the periods presented were designated as hedges for financial statement purposes. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on derivatives are included in cash flows from operating activities (see Note G).

5.    Property and equipment

        The following table sets forth the Company's property and equipment:

(in thousands)
  September 30,
2011
  December 31,
2010
 

Proved oil and gas properties

  $ 1,874,969   $ 1,379,885  

Less accumulated depletion and impairment

    824,551     713,118  
           
 

Proved oil and gas properties, net

    1,050,418     666,767  

Unproved oil and gas properties not being amortized

   
108,029
   
96,515
 

Pipeline and gas gathering assets

   
52,399
   
43,271
 

Less accumulated depreciation

    5,715     3,928  
           
 

Pipeline and gas gathering assets, net

    46,684     39,343  

Other fixed assets

   
16,223
   
10,869
 

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

    5,297     3,601  
           
 

Other fixed assets, net

    10,926     7,268  
           
 

Total property and equipment, net

  $ 1,216,057   $ 809,893  
           

        For the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, depletion expense was $17.87 per BOE and $16.29 per BOE, respectively.

6.    Deferred loan costs

        Loan origination fees are stated at cost, net of amortization, and are amortized over the life of the respective debt agreements on a basis that represents the effective interest method. The Company capitalized $18.8 million and $9.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The Company had total deferred loan costs of $20.2 million and $10.4 million, net of accumulated amortization of $3.4 million and $2.8 million, at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

        During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company wrote-off $6.2 million in deferred loan costs as a result of the early retirement of the Term Loan (as defined below), the early retirement of the Broad Oak Credit Facility and changes in the borrowing base under the $1.0 billion revolving Senior Secured Credit Facility (see Note C).

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Table of Contents


Laredo Petroleum, LLC and subsidiaries

Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements (Continued)

September 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

B—Basis of presentation and significant accounting policies (Continued)

        Future amortization expense of deferred loan costs at September 30, 2011 is as follows:

(in thousands)
   
 

Remaining 2011

  $ 905  

2012

    3,623  

2013

    3,623  

2014

    3,623  

2015

    3,623  

Thereafter

    4,778  
       

Total

  $ 20,175  
       

7.    Asset retirement obligations

        Asset retirement obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets are recognized as a liability in the period in which they are incurred and become determinable. The associated asset retirement costs are part of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset. Subsequently, the asset retirement cost included in the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset is charged to expense through the depletion of the asset. Changes in the liability due to the passage of time are recognized as an increase in the carrying amount of the liability and as corresponding accretion expense. See Note H for fair value disclosures related to the Company's asset retirement obligation.

        The Company is obligated by contractual and regulatory requirements to remove certain pipeline and gas gathering assets and perform other remediation of the sites where such pipeline and gas gathering assets are located upon the retirement of those assets. However, the fair value of the asset retirement obligation cannot currently be reasonably estimated because the settlement dates are indeterminate. The Company will record an asset retirement obligation for pipeline and gas gathering assets in the periods in which settlement dates are reasonably determinable.

        The following reconciles the Company's asset retirement obligations liability:

 
  Nine months
ended
September 30,
 
(in thousands)
  2011   2010  

Liability at beginning of period

  $ 8,278   $ 5,844  

Liabilities added due to acquisitions, drilling and other

    745     686  

Liabilities removed due to disposal of well

        (34 )

Accretion expense

    456     340  

Liabilities settled upon plugging and abandonment

    (379 )   (8 )

Revision of estimates

    (13 )   191  
           

Liability at end of period

  $ 9,087   $ 7,019  
           

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Table of Contents


Laredo Petroleum, LLC and subsidiaries

Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements (Continued)

September 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

B—Basis of presentation and significant accounting policies (Continued)

8.    Fair value measurements

        The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, prepaid expenses, accounts payable, undistributed revenue and royalties, and other accrued liabilities approximate their fair values. See Note C for fair value disclosures related to the Company's debt obligations. The Company carries its derivative financial instruments at fair value. See Note G and Note H for details about the fair value of the Company's derivative financial instruments.

9.    Revenue recognition

        Oil and gas revenues are recorded using the sales method. Under this method, the Company recognizes revenues based on actual volumes of oil and gas sold to purchasers. The Company and other joint interest owners may sell more or less than their entitlement share of the volumes produced. Under the sales method, when a working interest owner has overproduced in excess of its share of remaining estimated reserves, the overproduced party recognizes the excess gas imbalance as a liability. If the underproduced working interest owner determines that an overproduced partner's share of remaining net reserves is insufficient to settle the imbalance, the underproduced owner recognizes a receivable, net of any allowance from the overproduced working interest owner.

        The following tables reflect the Company's natural gas imbalance positions at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 as well as amounts reflected in oil and gas sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.

(dollars in thousands)
  September 30,
2011
  December 31,
2010
 

Natural gas imbalance current receivable (included in "Accounts receivable-Oil and gas sales")

  $ 10   $ 174  

Underproduced positions (Mcf)

    2,713     43,720  

Natural gas imbalance current liability (included in "Other accrued liabilities")

 
$

27
 
$

15
 

Overproduced positions (Mcf)

    7,356     3,839  

Natural gas imbalance long-term liability

 
$

905
 
$

1,093
 

Overproduced positions (Mcf)

    244,715     275,201  

 

 
  Nine months
ended
September 30,
 
(dollars in thousands)
  2011   2010  

Value of net underproduced (overproduced) positions arising during the period increasing oil and gas sales

  $ 12   $ (166 )

Net overproduced positions arising during the period (Mcf)

    14,038     23,114  

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Table of Contents


Laredo Petroleum, LLC and subsidiaries

Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements (Continued)

September 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

B—Basis of presentation and significant accounting policies (Continued)

10.    General and administrative expense

        The Company receives fees for the operation of jointly-owned oil and gas properties and records such reimbursements as a reduction of general and administrative expenses.

        The following amounts have been recorded for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010:

 
  Nine months
ended
September 30,
 
(in thousands)
  2011   2010  

Fees received for the operation of jointly-owned oil and gas properties

  $ 1,349   $ 1,040  

11.    Equity-based awards

        The Company recognizes equity-based awards as a charge against earnings over the requisite service period, in an amount equal to the fair value of equity-based awards granted to employees and directors. The fair value of the equity-based awards is computed at the date of grant (see Note E).

12.    Impairment of long-lived assets

        Impairment losses are recorded on property and equipment used in operations and other long-lived assets when indicators of impairment are present and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the assets' carrying amount. Impairment is measured based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the asset. See Note B.3 for disclosure of the write-down of materials and supplies for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. Other than the aforementioned write-down, the Company did not record any additional impairment to property and equipment used in operations or other long-lived assets in the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.

13.    Recently issued accounting standards

        In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2011-04, Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRS, which provides a consistent definition of fair value and common requirements for measurement of and disclosure about fair value between GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. This new guidance changes some fair value measurement principles and disclosure requirements, but does not require additional fair value measurements and is not intended to establish valuation standards or affect valuation practices outside of financial reporting. The update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011 and we are in the process of evaluating the impact, if any, the adoption of this update will have on our financial statements.

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Table of Contents


Laredo Petroleum, LLC and subsidiaries

Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements (Continued)

September 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

C—Debt

1.    Interest expense

        The following amounts have been incurred and charged to interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010:

 
  Nine months
ended
September 30,
 
(in thousands)
  2011   2010  

Cash payments for interest

  $ 28,510   $ 9,262  

Amortization of deferred loan costs and other adjustments

    2,922     1,384  

Change in accrued interest

    3,630     1,223  
           
 

Total interest expense

  $ 35,062   $ 11,869  
           

2.    2019 Notes

        On January 20, 2011 Laredo completed an offering of $350 million 91/2% Senior Notes due 2019 (the "2019 Notes"). The 2019 Notes will mature on February 15, 2019 and bear an interest rate of 9.5% payable semi-annually, in cash, in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each annual year, commencing August 15, 2011. The 2019 Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior unsecured basis by Laredo LLC, Laredo Texas, Laredo Gas and Laredo Dallas (collectively, the "Guarantors"). The net proceeds from the 2019 Notes were used (i) to repay and retire $100 million outstanding under Laredo's Second Lien Term Loan Agreement (the "Term Loan"), (ii) to pay in full $177.5 million outstanding under Laredo's revolving Second Amended and Restated Senior Secured Credit Facility Agreement (the "Senior Secured Credit Facility"), and (iii) for general working capital purposes.

        The 2019 Notes were issued under and are governed by an indenture dated January 20, 2011 (the "Indenture"), among Laredo, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, and the Guarantors. The Indenture contains customary terms, events of default and covenants relating to, among other things, the incurrence of debt, the payment of dividends or similar restricted payments, undertaking transactions with Laredo's unrestricted affiliates and limitations on asset sales. Indebtedness under the 2019 Notes may be accelerated in certain circumstances upon an event of default as set forth in the Indenture.

        Laredo will have the option to redeem the 2019 Notes, in whole or in part, at any time on or after February 15, 2015, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) of 104.750% for the twelve-month period beginning on February 15, 2015, 102.375% for the twelve-month period beginning on February 15, 2016 and 100.000% for the twelve-month period beginning on February 15, 2017 and at any time thereafter, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption. In addition, before February 15, 2015, Laredo may redeem all or any part of the 2019 Notes at a redemption price equal to the sum of the principal amount thereof, plus a make-whole premium at the redemption date, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date. Furthermore, before February 15, 2014, Laredo may, at any time or from time to time, redeem up to

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Table of Contents


Laredo Petroleum, LLC and subsidiaries

Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements (Continued)

September 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

C—Debt (Continued)


35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2019 Notes with the net proceeds of a public or private equity offering at a redemption price of 109.500% of the principal amount of 2019 Notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption, if at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2019 Notes issued under the Indenture remains outstanding immediately after such redemption and the redemption occurs within 180 days of the closing date of such equity offering. Laredo may also be required to make an offer to purchase the 2019 Notes upon a change of control triggering event.

        In connection with the issuance of the 2019 Notes, Laredo and the Guarantors entered into a registration rights agreement with the initial purchasers of the 2019 Notes on January 20, 2011 pursuant to which Laredo and the Guarantors have agreed to file with the Securities Exchange Commission ("SEC") and use commercially reasonable efforts to cause to become effective a registration statement with respect to an offer to exchange the 2019 Notes for substantially identical notes (other than with respect to restrictions on transfer or to any increase in annual interest rate) that are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, so as to permit the exchange offer to be consummated by the 365th day after January 20, 2011. Under specified circumstances, Laredo and the Guarantors have also agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to cause to become effective a shelf registration statement relating to any resale of the 2019 Notes. Laredo will be obligated to pay additional interest if it fails to comply with their obligations to register the 2019 Notes to the extent the transfer of such notes remains unregistered following the specified time periods or the two year anniversary of the issuance of the notes.

        On October 19, 2011, Laredo completed a $200 million offering of additional senior unsecured notes as part of the same series as the 2019 Notes. See Note N for additional discussion.

3.    Senior secured credit facility

        As previously described in Note A, on July 1, 2011, Laredo LLC and Laredo consummated a transaction by which Broad Oak became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Laredo. The cash portion of the transaction was funded under an amendment and restatement to the Senior Secured Credit Facility. Under this third amendment and restatement, the Senior Secured Credit Facility's capacity increased to $1.0 billion, with a borrowing base of $650.0 million. At September 30, 2011, $525.0 million was outstanding. The borrowing base is subject to a semi-annual redetermination based on the financial institutions' evaluation of the Company's oil and gas reserves. The amendment lengthened the term of the Senior Secured Credit Facility, making it available to July 1, 2016, at which time the outstanding balance will be due. As defined in the Senior Secured Credit Facility, (i) the Adjusted Base Rate advances under the facility bear interest payable quarterly at an Adjusted Base Rate plus applicable margin and (ii) the Eurodollar advances under the facility bear interest, at our election, at the end of one-month, two-month, three-month, six-month or, to the extent available, twelve-month interest periods (and in the case of six-month and twelve-month interest periods, every three months prior to the end of such interest period) at an Adjusted London Interbank Offered Rate plus an applicable margin, based on the ratio of outstanding revolving credit to the conforming base rate. Laredo is also required to pay an annual commitment fee on the unused portion of the bank's commitment of 0.375% to 0.5%.

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Laredo Petroleum, LLC and subsidiaries

Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements (Continued)

September 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

C—Debt (Continued)

        The Senior Secured Credit Facility is secured by a first priority lien on Laredo and the Guarantor's assets and stock, including oil and gas properties, constituting at least 80% of the present value of the Company's proved reserves. Further, the Company is subject to various financial and non-financial ratios on a consolidated basis, including a current ratio at the end of each calendar quarter, of not less than 1.00 to 1.00. As defined by the Senior Secured Credit Facility, the current ratio represents the ratio of current assets to current liabilities, inclusive of available capacity and exclusive of current balances associated with derivative positions. Additionally, at the end of each calendar quarter, the Company must maintain a ratio of its consolidated net income (a) plus each of the following; (i) any provision for (or less any benefit from) income or franchise taxes; (ii) consolidated net interest expense; (iii) depreciation, depletion and amortization expense; (iv) exploration expenses; and (v) other noncash charges, and (b) minus all non-cash income ("EBITDAX"), as defined in the Senior Secured Credit Facility, to the sum of net interest expense plus letter of credit fees of not less than 2.50 to 1.00, in each case for the four quarters then ending. The Senior Secured Credit Facility contains both financial and non-financial covenants and the Company was in compliance with these covenants at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

        Additionally, the Senior Secured Credit Facility provides for the issuance of letters of credit, limited to the lesser of total capacity or $20.0 million. At September 30, 2011, Laredo had one letter of credit outstanding totaling $0.03 million under the Senior Secured Credit Facility.

        Subsequent to September 30, 2011, the Senior Secured Credit Facility was amended to allow for the issuance of $200 million of additional senior unsecured notes. The Company paid down the Senior Secured Credit Facility using the proceeds from the notes offering and the borrowing base was increased to $712.5 million. See Note N for additional discussion of the offering of $200 million of additional senior unsecured notes and the borrowing base increase.

4.    Retirement of term loan

        In January 2011, Laredo paid in full its $100.0 million outstanding balance under the Term Loan, dated July 7, 2010, between Laredo and certain financial institutions, using a portion of the proceeds from its 2019 Notes and retired the loan. The Term Loan was subject to an interest rate of 9.25% prior to its pay-off and subsequent retirement.

5.    Retirement of Broad Oak credit facility

        At July 1, 2011, Broad Oak had a $600.0 million revolving credit facility under its Seventh Amendment to the Credit Agreement (the "Broad Oak Credit Facility"), dated April 11, 2008, between Broad Oak and certain financial institutions. As of June 30, 2011, the Broad Oak Credit Facility had a borrowing base of $375 million with $265.4 million outstanding. As of December 31, 2010, the borrowing was $250.0 million with $214.1 million outstanding. The borrowing base was subject to a semi-annual redetermination based on the financial institutions' evaluation of Broad Oak's oil and gas reserves. The Broad Oak Credit Facility was available to Broad Oak until April 2013, at which time the outstanding balance would have been due. As defined in the Broad Oak Credit Facility, the Adjusted Base Rate Advances and Eurodollar Advances bore interest payable quarterly at an Adjusted Base

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Laredo Petroleum, LLC and subsidiaries

Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements (Continued)

September 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

C—Debt (Continued)


Rate or Adjusted LIBOR plus an applicable margin based on the ratio of outstanding revolving credit to the conforming borrowing base. Broad Oak was also required to pay a quarterly commitment fee of 0.5% on the unused portion of the bank's commitment.

        The Broad Oak Credit Facility was secured by a first priority lien on Broad Oak's oil and gas properties. Further, Broad Oak was subject to various financial and non-financial ratios, including a current ratio at the end of each calendar quarter, of not less than 1.00 to 1.00. As defined by the Broad Oak Credit Facility, the current ratio represented the ratio of current assets to current liabilities, inclusive of available capacity and exclusive of current balances associated with non-cash derivative positions. Additionally, at the end of each calendar quarter, Broad Oak had to maintain a ratio of debt to "Consolidated EBITDAX" of not more than 3.50 to 1.00, based on the quarter then ended annualized. "Consolidated EBITDAX" is defined as consolidated net income plus the sum of (i) income or franchise taxes; (ii) consolidated net interest expense; (iii) depreciation, depletion and amortization expense; (iv) any non-cash losses or charges on any derivative positions; (v) other noncash charges; and (vi) costs associated with oil and gas capital expenditures that are expensed rather than capitalized, less, to the extent included in the calculation of Consolidated Net Income (as defined in the Broad Oak Credit Facility), the sum of (A) the income of any person (other than wholly owned subsidiaries of such person) unless such income is received by such person in a cash distribution; (B) gains of losses from sales or other dispositions of assets (other than hydrocarbons produced in the normal course of business); (C) any non-cash gains on any hedge agreement resulting from the requirements of Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 815, Derivatives and Hedging, for that period; (D) extraordinary or non-recurring gains, but not net of extraordinary or non-recurring "cash" losses; and (E) costs and expenses associated with, and attributable to, oil and gas capital expenditures that are expensed rather than capitalized. The Broad Oak Credit Facility contained both financial and non-financial covenants and Broad Oak was in compliance with these covenants at December 31, 2010.

        Additionally, the Broad Oak Credit Facility provided for the issuance of letters of credit, limited to the total capacity. At December 31, 2010, Broad Oak had no letters of credit outstanding.

        On July 1, 2011, Laredo paid the Broad Oak Credit Facility in full and the facility was terminated. Upon consummation of the acquisition of Broad Oak, Broad Oak was added as a guarantor under the Senior Secured Credit Facility and the 2019 Notes.

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Laredo Petroleum, LLC and subsidiaries

Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements (Continued)

September 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

C—Debt (Continued)

6.    Fair value of debt

        The following table presents the carrying amount and fair value of the Company's debt instruments at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010:

 
  September 30, 2011   December 31, 2010  
(in thousands)
  Carrying
value
  Fair
value
  Carrying
value
  Fair
value
 

2019 Notes

  $ 350,000   $ 369,908   $   $  

Credit Facilities(1)

    525,000     524,298     391,600     392,097  

Term Loan

            100,000     100,707  
                   
 

Total value of debt

  $ 875,000   $ 894,206   $ 491,600   $ 492,804  
                   

(1)
December 31, 2010 values include the Broad Oak Credit Facility.

        At September 30, 2011 the fair value of the debt outstanding on the 2019 Notes was determined using the September 30, 2011 quoted market price. For September 30, 2011, the fair value of the outstanding debt on the Laredo Senior Secured Credit Facility and for December 31, 2010, the fair value of the outstanding debt on the Laredo Senior Secured Credit Facility, the Broad Oak Credit Facility and the Term Loan was estimated utilizing pricing models for similar instruments.

D—Owners' equity

        As a result of the Broad Oak Transaction, the LLC Agreement (as defined below) was amended to include a new class of preferred units and three new classes of restricted units.

Preferred units

        The Laredo LLC Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement (the "LLC Agreement") provides for the issuance of three classes of preferred units, (i) Series A-1, (ii) Series A-2 and (iii) BOE Preferred Units (collectively, the "Preferred Units"). First, the LLC Agreement authorizes a total of 60.0 million Series A-1 Units of Laredo LLC for total consideration of $300 million, consisting of approximately $294.9 million from Warburg Pincus IX and $5.1 million from certain members of Laredo LLC's management team and Board of Managers. This portion was fully funded as of December 31, 2009. Second, the LLC Agreement provides for a total of 48.0 million Series A-2 Units of Laredo LLC for total consideration of $300 million, initially consisting of approximately $288.5 million from Warburg Pincus X O&G, L.P. ("Warburg Pincus X"), $9.2 million from Warburg Pincus X Partners, L.P. ("Warburg Pincus X Partners") and $2.3 million from certain members of Laredo LLC's management team and Board of Managers. At September 30, 2011 there are outstanding $50.0 million of unfunded commitments to purchase Series A-2 Units. Third, the LLC Agreement authorizes a total of 89.0 million BOE Preferred Units, all of which were issued and outstanding at September 30, 2011, for total consideration of $670.1 million, consisting of approximately $611.2 million from Warburg Pincus IX, $40.6 million from WP IX Finance LP and $18.4 million from Broad Oak's management team, with no additional commitments.

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Laredo Petroleum, LLC and subsidiaries

Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements (Continued)

September 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

D—Owners' equity (Continued)

        The Preferred Units have a liquidation preference amount equal to the total capital then invested, plus a 7% cumulative return, compounded quarterly. The Series A-1 and A-2 Units, (collectively the "Series A Units"), 7% cumulative return had accumulated to approximately $122.5 million and $88.5 million as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. The BOE Preferred Units 7% cumulative return had accumulated to approximately $11.7 million as of September 30, 2011. These cumulative returns have not been declared by the Board of Managers and as such, are not reflected in the consolidated financial statements.

        As of September 30, 2011, approximately $1,219.3 million had been contributed to Laredo LLC, net of Series A Unit repurchases by Laredo LLC. Of this total, approximately $906.0 million was contributed by Warburg Pincus IX, $238.4 million by Warburg Pincus X, $40.6 million by WP IX Finance LP, $7.6 million by Warburg Pincus X Partners, $18.4 million by Broad Oak's management team and $8.3 million by certain members of Laredo LLC's management and Board of Managers.

Restricted units

        Laredo LLC is authorized to issue up to 16,923,077 Series B Units, up to 8,791,209 Series C Units, up to 13,538,462 Series D Units up to 7,032,967 Series E Units, up to 5,538,542 Series F Units, up to 4,299,635 G Units and up to 1,245,195 BOE Incentive Units under restricted unit agreements (collectively, the "Restricted Units"). The Series B Units are divided into two unit series, B-1 Units and B-2 Units. The Series B-1 Units have an initial threshold value of $0 and the Series B-2 Units have an initial threshold value of $1.25. The Series C Units have an initial threshold value of $10.00, the Series D Units, Series F Units, and Series G Units have an initial threshold value of $1.25, the Series E Units have an initial threshold value of $13.75, and the BOE Incentive Units have an initial threshold value of $0.

        The table below summarizes the activity of restricted units by series for the nine months ended September 30, 2011:

(in thousands)
  Series B
units
  Series C
units
  Series D
units
  Series E
units
  Series F
units
  Series G
units
  Series BOE
Incentive
units
  Total
units
 

BALANCE, December 31, 2010

    7,998     7,260     9,612     6,562                 31,432  
 

Issuance of restricted units

            2,134     170     5,306     1,170     749     9,529  
 

Cancellation of restricted units

    (123 )   (90 )   (116 )   (40 )               (369 )
                                   

BALANCE, September 30, 2011

    7,875     7,170     11,630     6,692     5,306     1,170     749     40,592  
                                   

Distribution

        Any distributions made by Laredo LLC are allocated into two waterfalls at a ratio of 53% to "Waterfall A" and 47% to the "Waterfall B". The Waterfall A distribution is first allocated to the Series A-1 and A-2 Units until the holders of Series A-1 and A-2 Units have received their invested capital and aforementioned preference amount. Second, until the "$1.25 Threshold" is met, all distributions are made to Series A-1 Units and Series B-1 Units in proportion to their unit ratios.

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Laredo Petroleum, LLC and subsidiaries

Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements (Continued)

September 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

D—Owners' equity (Continued)


Third, until the C Unit "$10.00 Threshold" has been met, the distributions are made to the holders of Series A-1 and A-2 Units, Series B-1 and B-2 Units, Series D Units, Series F Units and Series G Units in proportion to their unit ratios. Fourth, until the Series E Unit "$13.75 Threshold" has been met, the distributions are made to the holders of the Series A-1 and A-2 Units, Series B-1 and B-2 Units, Series C Units, Series D Units, Series F Units, and Series G Units in proportion to their unit ratios. Finally, after the Series E Unit "$13.75 Threshold" has been met, the distributions will be made to the holders of the Series A-1 and A-2 Units, Series B-1 and B-2 Units, Series C Units, Series D Units, Series E Units, Series F Units, and Series G Units in proportion to their unit ratios. Each threshold represents the point when holders of Series A-1 Units have received the preference amount plus $1.25, $10.00, and $13.75 per unit, respectively. The Waterfall B is first allocated to the BOE Preferred Units until the holders thereof have received their invested capital and aforementioned preferrence amount. Second, the Waterfall B distribution is allocated 98.6% to the BOE Preferred Units and up to 1.4% to the BOE Incentive Units.

        If future Series B-1, B-2, C, D, E, F, or BOE Incentive Units are issued with higher threshold values than prior units in that series, units having a higher threshold value will not share in distributions within the series until units having the lower threshold value have received distributions in an amount necessary to bring them into balance. Until the time that Series A-1 and A-2 Unit investors have fully funded their capital commitments, distributions to holders of Series B-1, B-2, C, D, E, F, G and BOE Incentive Units are subject to being held back until the total of the amounts held back equals the total remaining commitment of Series A Unit and BOE Preferred Unit investors. The holdback amount is subject to distribution to holders of Series A-1 and A-2 Units if future returns are not sufficient to fund the Series A-1 and A-2 Unit preference amounts. Series B-1, B-2, C, D, E, F, G and BOE Incentive Units are also subject to a claw-back (not to exceed distributions received, less taxes) if distributions to such units exceed their entitlement.

        In connection with any qualified public offering, each outstanding Series A Unit, BOE Preferred Unit and vested Series B-1, B-2, C, D, E, F, G or BOE Incentive Unit will be converted into or exchanged (at values determined in the LLC Agreement) for shares of common stock of Laredo Holdings. The converted or exchanged units will receive value equal to the same proportion of the aggregate pre-IPO value such that each holder of units will receive IPO securities having a value based on the provisions of the LLC Agreement.

        Management may request the funding of capital calls under the amended investors' commitment for development activities, working capital and acquisitions, subject to the approval of the Board of Managers. All capital calls are subject to the approval of Warburg Pincus Partnerships owning Laredo LLC units and must be for an amount not less than $5 million.

        The approval of Warburg Pincus Partnerships owning Laredo LLC units is required with respect to certain events, including material contracts and commitments, certain acquisitions and dispositions, certain expenditures and incurrence of debt, and amendments to Laredo's structure.

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Laredo Petroleum, LLC and subsidiaries

Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements (Continued)

September 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

E—Equity-based awards

        The Company recognizes the fair value of equity-based payments to employees and directors, including awards in the form of Restricted Units of Laredo LLC as a charge against earnings. The Company recognizes equity-based payment expense over the requisite service period. Laredo LLC's equity-based payment awards are accounted for as equity instruments. Equity-based compensation is included in "General and administrative expense" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

        The following table presents equity-based compensation for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 
  Nine months ended
September 30,
 
(in thousands)
  2011   2010  

Equity-based compensation

  $ 5,087   $ 1,023  

        For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the estimated market value of equity-based compensation for Restricted Units was estimated based on a valuation prepared by the Company's third-party valuation firm. The estimated market value is calculated at the end of each calendar quarter and the estimated market value of the Company is applied to each Series B-1, B-2, C, D, E, F, G and BOE Incentive Units granted during the current calendar quarter. The method of allocation is based on first determining the enterprise value using the market approach and the income approach and then weighting the indicated value to arrive at the fair value of the unit grants. The allocation of total equity remaining after giving effect to the preference amounts based upon the Preferred Units of the Company and the issued units' initial threshold value, as defined in the LLC Agreement is then determined by a valuation model taking into account the facts and circumstances that exist at the preceding quarter end and is allocated to each series of Restricted Units. Although the fair value of the unit grants is determined in accordance with GAAP, that value may not be indicative of the fair value observed in a market transaction between a willing buyer and a willing seller.

        For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the fair value of equity-based compensation for Restricted Units was estimated based on the Company's estimated market value. The Company calculates the estimated market value at the end of each calendar quarter and then applies the calculated value to each Series B-1, B-2, C, D and E Units granted during the current calendar quarter. The Company determination of the fair value for Series B-1, B-2, C, D and E Units is calculated based on the value of the Company's proved reserves using published market prices held flat after year five and then applying the following present value factors to the cash flows for proved reserves: 8% to proved developed properties, 15% to proved developed nonproducing properties and 20% to proved undeveloped properties. The aggregate calculated values are then adjusted by the net value of the Company's other non-oil and gas assets and liabilities to arrive at a net asset value. The net asset value is then adjusted for equity capital invested and the corresponding 7% preference amount to arrive at our net equity value. The net value is then allocated to each class of outstanding units, based upon unit sharing ratios and unit threshold values to arrive at the fair market value for each respective award. Although the fair value of the unit grants is determined in accordance with GAAP, that value may not be indicative of the fair value observed in a market transaction between a willing buyer and a willing seller.

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Laredo Petroleum, LLC and subsidiaries

Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements (Continued)

September 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

E—Equity-based awards (Continued)

        Laredo LLC is authorized to issue equity incentive awards in the form of Restricted Units. Unvested Restricted Units may not be sold, transferred or assigned. The fair value of the Restricted Units is measured based upon the estimated market price of the underlying member units as of the date of grant. The Restricted Units are subject to the following vesting terms: 20% at the grant date and 20% annually thereafter. The fair value of the Restricted Units in excess of the amounts paid by the employee, which is zero, is amortized to expense over its applicable requisite service period using the straight-line method. In the event of a termination of employment for cause, all Restricted Units, including unvested Restricted Units and vested Restricted Units, and all rights arising from such Restricted Units and from being a holder thereof, are forfeited. In the event of a termination of employment without cause or a resignation, all unvested Restricted Units and all rights arising from such Restricted Units and from being a holder thereof, are forfeited. For a period of one year from the date of termination of employment, in the event of a termination of employment for cause, the Company may also elect to redeem the Series A Units and BOE Preferred Units at a price per unit equal to the lesser of the fair market value or original purchase price. In the event of a termination without cause or a resignation, the Company may elect to redeem the Series A Units and BOE Preferred Units and vested Restricted Units at a price equal to the fair market value.

        The table below summarizes activity relating to the unvested Restricted Units for the nine months ended September 30, 2011:

(in thousands, except grant date fair values)
  Series B-1   Weighted
average
fair value
  Series B-2   Weighted
average
fair value
  Series C   Weighted
average
fair value
  Series D   Weighted
average
fair value
 

Outstanding at December 31, 2010

    1,419   $ 0.36     942   $ 2.10     2,129   $     6,745   $  
 

Granted

      $       $       $     2,134   $ 0.59  
 

Vested

    (966 ) $ 0.26     (433 ) $ 2.23     (1326 ) $     (2,248 ) $ 0.11  
 

Forfeited

    (10 ) $ 0.35     (17 ) $       $     (50 ) $ 0.03  
                                           

Outstanding at September 30, 2011

    443   $ 0.56     492   $ 2.04     803   $     6,581   $ 0.15  
                                           

 

(in thousands, except grant date fair values)
  Series E   Weighted
average
fair value
  Series F   Weighted
average
fair value
  Series G   Weighted
average
fair value
  BOE Incentive   Weighted
average
fair value
 

Outstanding at December 31, 2010

    4,016   $       $       $       $  
 

Granted

    170   $ 0.05     5,306   $ 1.46     1,170   $ 5.12     749   $ 3.36  
 

Vested

    (1,282 ) $     (1,061 ) $ 1.46     (234 ) $ 5.12     (150 ) $ 3.36  
 

Forfeited

    (2 ) $       $       $       $  
                                           

Outstanding at September 30, 2011

    2,902   $     4,245   $ 1.46     936   $ 5.12     599   $ 3.36  
                                           

        Unrecognized equity-based compensation expense related to unvested Restricted Units was $14.5 million and $2.4 million at September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.7 years.

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Laredo Petroleum, LLC and subsidiaries

Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements (Continued)

September 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

E—Equity-based awards (Continued)

        A summary of weighted average grant date fair value and intrinsic value of vested Restricted Units are as follows:

(in thousands, except weighted average grant date fair values)
  September 30,
2011
  December 31,
2010
 

B-1 Units:

             

Weighted average grant date fair value

  $ 0.26   $ 0.27  

Total intrinsic value of units vested

  $ 2,485   $ 431  

B-2 Units:

             

Weighted average grant date fair value

  $ 2.23   $ 2.12  

Total intrinsic value of units vested

  $ 925   $  

C Units:

             

Weighted average grant date fair value

  $   $  

Total intrinsic value of units vested

  $ 231   $  

D Units:

             

Weighted average grant date fair value

  $ 0.11   $  

Total intrinsic value of units vested

  $ 844   $  

E Units:

             

Weighted average grant date fair value

  $   $  

Total intrinsic value of units vested

  $ 255   $  

F Units:

             

Weighted average grant date fair value

  $ 1.46   $  

Total intrinsic value of units vested

  $ 1,549   $  

G Units:

             

Weighted average grant date fair value

  $ 5.12   $  

Total intrinsic value of units vested

  $ 1,198   $  

BOE Incentive Units:

             

Weighted average grant date fair value

  $ 3.36   $  

Total intrinsic value of units vested

  $ 503   $  

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Laredo Petroleum, LLC and subsidiaries

Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements (Continued)

September 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

F—Income taxes

        Income taxes in these financial statements are generally presented on a "consolidated" basis. However, in light of the historic ownership structure of the Company, U.S. tax laws do not allow tax losses of one entity to offset income and losses of another entity until after the consummation of the Broad Oak Transaction on July 1, 2011. As such, the financial accounting for the income tax consequences of each taxable entity is calculated separately for all periods prior to July 1, 2011.

        Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes.

        Laredo LLC's subsidiaries are subject to corporate income taxes. In addition, limited liability companies are subject to the Texas margin tax. The income tax expense from operations consisted of the following:

 
  Nine months ended
September 30,
 
(in thousands)
  2011   2010  

Current taxes

             
 

Federal

  $   $  
 

State

         

Deferred taxes

             
 

Federal

    58,219     5,951  
 

State

    360     1,219  
           

  $ 58,579   $ 7,170  
           

        Income tax benefit differed from amounts computed by applying the federal income tax rate of 34% to pre-tax income from operations as a result of the following:

 
  Nine months ended
September 30,
 
(in thousands)
  2011   2010  

Income tax benefit computed by applying the statutory rate

  $ 55,273   $ 19,832  

State income tax, net of federal tax benefit and increase in valuation allowance

    628     331  

Income from non-taxable entity

    (26 )   (40 )

Non-deductible compensation

    1,729     339  

Valuation allowance

    (801 )   (13,959 )

Other items

    1,776     667  
           
 

Income tax benefit

  $ 58,579   $ 7,170  
           

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Laredo Petroleum, LLC and subsidiaries

Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements (Continued)

September 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

F—Income taxes (Continued)

        Significant components of the Company's deferred tax assets as are as follows:

(in thousands)
  September 30,
2011
  December 31,
2010
 

Derivative financial instruments

  $ (4,683 ) $ 10,862  

Oil and gas properties and equipment

    (53,235 )   (59,854 )

Other

    (5,820 )   (2,174 )

Net operating loss carry-forward

    160,953     207,427  
           

    97,215     156,261  

Valuation allowance

    (842 )   (1,309 )
           
 

Net deferred tax asset

  $ 96,373   $ 154,952  
           

        Net deferred tax assets and liabilities were classified in the balance sheets as follows:

(in thousands)
  September 30,
2011
  December 31,
2010
 

Deferred tax asset

  $ 104,149   $ 154,952  

Deferred tax liability

    7,776      
           
 

Net deferred tax asset

  $ 96,373   $ 154,952  
           

        The Company had federal net operating loss carry-forwards totaling approximately $455.6 million and state net operating loss carry-forwards totaling approximately $148.6 million at September 30, 2011. These carry-forwards begin expiring in 2026. The Company maintains a valuation allowance to reduce certain deferred tax assets to amounts that are more likely than not to be realized. At September 30, 2011, a $0.2 million valuation allowance has been recorded against the state of Texas deferred tax asset, a $0.6 million valuation allowance has been recorded against the state of Louisiana deferred tax asset and a $0.03 million valuation allowance has been recorded against the Company's charitable contribution carry-forward. The Company believes the federal and state of Oklahoma net operating loss carry-forwards are fully realizable. The Company considered all available evidence, both positive and negative, in determining whether, based on the weight of that evidence, a valuation allowance was needed. Such consideration included estimated future net cash flows from its oil and gas reserves (including the timing of those cash flows), the future tax effect of the deferred tax assets and liabilities recorded at September 30, 2011 and the Company's ability to use tax planning strategies to prevent an operating loss carry-forward from expiring unused. Additionally, the Company takes advantage of allowable annual elections and techniques (such as capitalizing intangible drilling and development costs and amortizing such costs over five years) to enhance its tax position.

        The Company's income tax returns for the years 2007 through 2010 remain open and subject to examination by federal tax authorities and/or the tax authorities in Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana which are the jurisdictions where the Company has or had principal operations. Additionally, the statute of limitations for examination of federal net operating loss carryovers typically does not begin to run until the year the attribute is utilized in a tax return. In evaluating its current tax positions in order

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Table of Contents


Laredo Petroleum, LLC and subsidiaries

Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements (Continued)

September 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

F—Income taxes (Continued)

to identify any material uncertain tax positions, the Company developed a policy in identifying uncertain tax positions that considers support for each tax position, industry standards, tax return disclosures and schedules, and the significance of each position. The Company had no material adjustments to its unrecognized tax benefits during the nine months ended September 30, 2011.

G—Derivative financial instruments

1.    Commodity derivatives

        The Company engages in derivative transactions such as collars, swaps, puts and basis swaps to hedge price risks due to unfavorable changes in oil and gas prices related to its oil and gas production. As of September 30, 2011, the Company had 81 open derivative contracts with financial institutions, none of which were designated as hedges, which extend from October 2011 to December 2014. The contracts are recorded at fair value on the balance sheet and any realized and unrealized gains and losses are recognized in current year earnings.

        Each collar transaction has an established price floor and ceiling. When the settlement price is below the price floor established by these collars, the Company receives an amount from its counterparty equal to the difference between the settlement price and the price floor multiplied by the hedged contract volume. When the settlement price is above the price ceiling established by these collars, the Company pays its counterparty an amount equal to the difference between the settlement price and the price ceiling multiplied by the hedged contract volume.

        Each swap or put transaction has an established fixed price. When the settlement price is above the fixed price, the Company pays its counterparty an amount equal to the difference between the settlement price and the fixed price multiplied by the hedged contract volume. When the settlement price is below the fixed price, the counterparty pays the Company an amount equal to the difference between the settlement price and the fixed price multiplied by the hedged contract volume.

        Each basis swap transaction has an established fixed differential between the NYMEX gas futures and West Texas WAHA ("WAHA") index gas price. When the NYMEX futures settlement price less the fixed WAHA differential is greater than the actual WAHA price, the difference multiplied by the hedged contract volume is paid to the Company by the counterparty. When the difference between the NYMEX futures settlement price less the fixed WAHA differential is less than the actual WAHA price, the Company pays the counterparty an amount equal to the difference multiplied by the hedged contract volume.

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Laredo Petroleum, LLC and subsidiaries

Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements (Continued)

September 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

G—Derivative financial instruments (Continued)

        During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company entered into additional commodity contracts to hedge a portion of its estimated future production. The following table summarizes information about these commodity derivative contracts.

 
  Aggregate
Volumes
  Index
Price
  Contract period

Oil (volumes in Bbls):

             
 

Swap

    100,000   $101.00   March 2011 - December 2011
 

Price collar

    160,000   $85.00 - $125.00   March 2011 - December 2011
 

Swap

    90,000   $100.10   April 2011 - December 2011
 

Price collar

    80,000   $95.00 - $125.70   May 2011 - December 2011
 

Price collar

    120,000   $85.00 - $125.00   January 2012 - December 2012
 

Swap

    120,000   $99.75   January 2012 - December 2012
 

Swap

    120,000   $101.10   January 2012 - December 2012
 

Swap

    120,000   $100.06   January 2012 - December 2012
 

Swap

    120,000   $99.10   January 2013 - December 2013
 

Swap

    120,000   $100.02   January 2013 - December 2013
 

Swap

    120,000   $102.50   January 2013 - December 2013
 

Price collar

    96,000   $85.00 - $125.00   January 2013 - December 2013
 

Price collar

    264,000   $80.00 - $125.00   January 2014 - December 2014

Natural gas (volumes in MMBtu):

       
 

Basis swap

    500,000   $0.26   March 2011 - December 2011
 

Swap

    350,000   $4.75   June 2011 - December 2011
 

Price collar

    3,480,000   $4.00 - $7.05   January 2014 - December 2014

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Table of Contents


Laredo Petroleum, LLC and subsidiaries

Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements (Continued)

September 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

G—Derivative financial instruments (Continued)

        The following table summarizes open positions as of September 30, 2011, and represents, as of such date, derivatives in place through December 31, 2014, for the remaining year of 2011 and annual production volumes for the years 2012, 2013 and 2014:

 
  Remaining year
2011
  Year
2012
  Year
2013
  Year
2014
 

Oil positions:

                         

Puts:

                         
 

Hedged volume (Bbls)

    87,000     672,000     1,080,000      
 

Weighted average price ($/Bbl)

  $ 62.52   $ 65.79   $ 65.00   $  

Swaps:

                         
 

Hedged volume (Bbls)

    218,575     732,000     600,000      
 

Weighted average price ($/Bbl)

  $ 86.80   $ 93.52   $ 96.32   $  

Collars:

                         
 

Hedged volume (Bbls)

    180,000     498,000     216,000     264,000  
 

Weighted average floor price ($/Bbl)

  $ 78.25   $ 75.06   $ 73.89   $ 80.00  
 

Weighted average ceiling price ($/Bbl)

  $ 113.58   $ 107.17   $ 120.56   $ 125.00  

Natural gas positions:

                         

Puts:

                         
 

Hedged volume (MMBtu)

    90,000     4,320,000     6,600,000      
 

Weighted average price ($/MMBtu)

  $ 3.50   $ 5.38   $ 4.00   $  

Swaps:

                         
 

Hedged volume (MMBtu)

    389,108     1,680,000          
 

Weighted average price ($/MMBtu)

  $ 5.65   $ 6.14   $   $  

Collars:

                         
 

Hedged volume (MMBtu)

    2,850,000     7,800,000     6,600,000     3,480,000  
 

Weighted average floor price ($/MMBtu)

  $ 4.82   $ 4.12   $ 4.00   $ 4.00  
 

Weighted average ceiling price ($/MMBtu)

  $ 7.98   $ 5.79   $ 7.05   $ 7.05  

Basis Swaps:

                         
 

Hedged volume (MMBtu)

    1,260,000     2,880,000     1,200,000      
 

Weighted average price ($/MMBtu)

  $ 0.29   $ 0.31   $ 0.33   $  

        The natural gas derivatives are settled based on NYMEX gas futures, the Northern Natural Gas Co. Demarcation price or the Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line spot price of natural gas for the calculation period. The oil derivatives are settled based on the month's average daily NYMEX price of West Texas Intermediate Light Sweet Crude Oil. Each basis swap transaction is settled based on the differential between the NYMEX gas futures and WAHA index gas price.

2.    Interest rate derivatives

        The Company is exposed to market risk for changes in interest rates related to its Senior Secured Credit Facility. Interest rate derivative agreements are used to manage a portion of the exposure related to changing interest rates by converting floating-rate debt to fixed-rate debt. If LIBOR is lower

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Table of Contents


Laredo Petroleum, LLC and subsidiaries

Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements (Continued)

September 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

G—Derivative financial instruments (Continued)


than the fixed rate in the contract, the Company is required to pay the counterparties the difference, and conversely, the counterparties are required to pay the Company if LIBOR is higher than the fixed rate in the contract. For the interest rate cap below, the Company paid a premium of $0.2 million in 2010 upon entering into the agreement. The Company did not designate the interest rate derivatives as cash flow hedges; therefore, the changes in fair value of these instruments are recorded in current earnings.

        The following presents the settlement terms of the interest rate derivatives at September 30, 2011:

(in thousands except rate data)
  Year
2011
  Year
2012
  Year
2013
 

Notional amount

  $ 110,000   $ 110,000   $  

Fixed rate

    3.41 %   3.41 %    

Notional amount

  $ 30,000   $ 30,000   $  

Fixed rate

    1.60 %   1.60 %    

Notional amount

  $ 20,000   $ 20,000   $  

Fixed rate

    1.35 %   1.35 %    

Notional amount

  $ 50,000   $ 50,000   $ 50,000  

Fixed rate

    1.11 %   1.11 %   1.11 %

Notional amount

  $ 50,000   $ 50,000   $ 50,000  

Cap rate

    3.00 %   3.00 %   3.00 %
               

Total

  $ 260,000   $ 260,000   $ 100,000  
               

3.    Balance sheet presentation

        The Company's oil and gas commodity derivatives and interest rate derivatives are presented on a net basis in "Derivative financial instruments" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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Laredo Petroleum, LLC and subsidiaries

Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements (Continued)

September 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

G—Derivative financial instruments (Continued)

        The following summarizes the fair value of derivatives outstanding on a gross basis as of:

(in thousands)
  September 30,
2011
  December 31,
2010
 

Assets:

             
 

Commodity derivatives:

             
   

Oil derivatives

  $ 32,335   $ 8,398  
   

Natural gas derivatives

    15,834     22,035  
 

Interest rate derivatives

    1,053     248  
           

  $ 49,222   $ 30,681  
           

Liabilities:

             
 

Commodity derivatives:

             
   

Oil derivatives(1)

  $ 5,913   $ 23,405  
   

Natural gas derivatives(2)

    2,663     9,271  
 

Interest rate derivatives

    4,179     5,790  
           

  $ 12,755   $ 38,466  
           

(1)
The oil derivatives fair value is netted with a deferred premium liability of $9.2 million and $7.6 million at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

(2)
The natural gas derivatives fair value is netted against a deferred premium liability of $4.9 million at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

        By using derivative instruments to economically hedge exposures to changes in commodity prices and interest rates, the Company exposes itself to credit risk and market risk. Credit risk is the failure of the counterparty to perform under the terms of the derivative contract. When the fair value of a derivative contract is positive, the counterparty owes the Company, which creates credit risk. The Company's counterparties are participants in its Senior Secured Credit Facility (as described in Note C) which is secured by the Company's oil and gas reserves; therefore, the Company is not required to post any collateral. The Company does not require collateral from its counterparties. The Company minimizes the credit risk in derivative instruments by: (i) limiting its exposure to any single counterparty; (ii) entering into derivative instruments only with counterparties that are also lenders in the Company's Senior Secured Credit Facility and meet the Company's minimum credit quality standard, or have a guarantee from an affiliate that meets the Company's minimum credit quality standard; and (iii) monitoring the creditworthiness of the Company's counterparties on an ongoing basis. In accordance with the Company's standard practice, its commodity and interest rate derivatives are subject to counterparty netting under agreements governing such derivatives and, therefore, the risk of such loss is somewhat mitigated at September 30, 2011.

4.    Gain (loss) on derivatives

        Gains and losses on derivatives are reported on the statements of operations in the respective "Realized and unrealized gain (loss)" amounts. Realized gains (losses), represent amounts related to

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Laredo Petroleum, LLC and subsidiaries

Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements (Continued)

September 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

G—Derivative financial instruments (Continued)


the settlement of derivative instruments, and for commodity derivatives, are aligned with the underlying production. Unrealized gains (losses) represent the change in fair value of the derivative instruments and are non-cash items.

        The following represents the Company's reported gains and losses on derivative instruments for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010:

 
  Nine months ended
September 30,
 
(in thousands)
  2011   2010  

Realized gains (losses):

             
 

Commodity derivatives

  $ 1,219   $ 15,599  
 

Interest rate derivatives

    (3,732 )   (3,929 )
           

    (2,513 )   11,670  

Unrealized gains (losses):

             
 

Commodity derivatives

    41,632     13,984  
 

Interest rate derivatives

    2,415     (1,961 )
           

    44,047     12,023  

Total gains (losses):

             
 

Commodity derivatives

    42,851     29,583  
 

Interest rate derivatives

    (1,317 )   (5,890 )
           

  $ 41,534   $ 23,693  
           

H—Fair value measurements

        The Company accounts for its oil and gas commodity derivatives and interest rate derivatives at fair value (see Note G). The fair value of derivative financial instruments is determined utilizing pricing models for similar instruments. The models use a variety of techniques to arrive at fair value, including quotes and pricing analysis. Inputs to the pricing models include publicly available prices and forward curves generated from a compilation of data gathered from third parties.

        The Company has categorized its assets and liabilities measured at fair value, based on the priority of inputs to the valuation technique, into a three-level fair value hierarchy. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3).

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Table of Contents


Laredo Petroleum, LLC and subsidiaries

Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements (Continued)

September 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

H—Fair value measurements (Continued)

        Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on the balance sheets are categorized based on the inputs to the valuation techniques as follows:

Level 1—   Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value for which values are based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market that management has the ability to access. Active markets are considered to be those in which transactions for the assets or liabilities occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.

Level 2—

 

Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value for which values are based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or model inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. Substantially all of these inputs are observable in the marketplace throughout the full term of the price risk management instrument, can be derived from observable data or supported by observable levels at which transactions are executed in the marketplace.

Level 3—

 

Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value for which values are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data. These inputs reflect management's own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing the asset or liability.

        When the inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy in a liquid environment, the level within which the fair value measurement is categorized is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company conducts a review of fair value hierarchy classifications on a quarterly basis. Changes in the observability of valuation inputs may result in a reclassification for certain financial assets or liabilities.

Fair value measurement on a recurring basis

        The following presents the Company's fair value hierarchy for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. These items are included in "Derivative financial instruments" on the balance sheets. Significant Level 2 assumptions associated with the calculations of discounted cash flows used in the mark-to-market analysis include

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Table of Contents


Laredo Petroleum, LLC and subsidiaries

Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements (Continued)

September 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

H—Fair value measurements (Continued)


NYMEX natural gas and crude oil prices, appropriate risk adjusted discount rates and other relevant data.

(in thousands)
  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total
fair value
 

As of September 30, 2011:

                         
 

Commodity derivatives

  $   $ 21,058   $ 32,678   $ 53,736  
 

Deferred premiums

            (14,143 )   (14,143 )
 

Interest rate derivatives

        (3,126 )       (3,126 )
                   
   

Total

  $   $ 17,932   $ 18,535   $ 36,467  
                   

 

(in thousands)
  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total
fair value
 

As of December 31, 2010:

                         
 

Commodity derivatives

  $   $ (9,774 ) $ 20,026   $ 10,252  
 

Deferred premiums

            (12,495 )   (12,495 )
 

Interest rate derivatives

        (5,542 )       (5,542 )
                   
   

Total

  $   $ (15,316 ) $ 7,531   $ (7,785 )
                   

        A summary of the changes in assets classified as Level 3 measurements for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 are presented below.

(in thousands)
  Derivative option
contracts
  Deferred
premiums
 

Balance of Level 3 at December 31, 2010

  $ 20,026   $ (12,495 )

Realized and unrealized losses included in earnings

    5,323      

Amortization of deferred premiums

        (329 )

Total purchases, issuances and settlements:

             
 

Purchases

    4,923     (1,383 )
 

Settlements

        64  

Transfers in to Level 3(1)(2)

    2,406      
           

Balance of Level 3 at September 30, 2011

  $ 32,678   $ (14,143 )
           

Change in unrealized gains attributed to earnings relating to derivatives still held at September 30, 2011

  $ 2,201   $  
           

(1)
Transferred from Level 2 to Level 3 due to a change in the method of calculating fair value. The new method uses some unobservable inputs in the calculation of the fair value of derivative contracts.

(2)
The Company's policy is to recognize transfers in and out as of the actual date of the event or change in circumstances that caused the transfer.

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Laredo Petroleum, LLC and subsidiaries

Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements (Continued)

September 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

H—Fair value measurements (Continued)


(in thousands)
  Derivative option
contracts
  Deferred
premiums
 

Balance of Level 3 at December 31, 2009

  $ 14,610   $ (3,524 )

Realized and unrealized gains included in earnings

    3,374      

Amortization of deferred premiums

        (87 )

Total purchases, issuances and settlements:

             
 

Purchases

    2,212      
           

Balance of Level 3 at September 30, 2010

  $ 20,196   $ (3,611 )
           

Change in unrealized gains attributed to earnings relating to derivatives still held at September 30, 2010

  $ 7,761   $  
           

Fair value measurement on a nonrecurring basis

        The Company accounts for additions to its asset retirement obligation (see Note B.7) and impairment of long-lived assets (see Note B.12), if any, at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of fair value measurement, it was determined that the impairment of long-lived assets and the additions to the asset retirement obligation are classified as Level 3. No impairments of long-lived assets were recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.

Asset retirement obligations

        The accounting policies for asset retirement obligations are discussed in Note B.7, including a reconciliation of the Company's asset retirement obligation. The fair value of additions to the asset retirement obligation liability is measured using valuation techniques consistent with the income approach, which converts future cash flows to a single discounted amount. Significant inputs to the valuation include: (i) estimated plug and abandonment cost per well based on Company experience; (ii) estimated remaining life per well based on the reserve life per well; (iii) future inflation factors; and (iv) the Company's and the former Broad Oak average credit adjusted risk free rate.

        Inherent in the fair value calculation of asset retirement obligations are numerous assumptions and judgments, including, in addition to those noted above, the ultimate settlement of these amounts, the ultimate timing of such settlement, and changes in legal, regulatory, environmental and political environments. To the extent future revisions to these assumptions impact the fair value of the existing asset retirement obligation liability, a corresponding adjustment will be made to the asset balance.

I—Credit risk

        The Company's oil and gas sales are to a variety of purchasers, including intrastate and interstate pipelines or their marketing affiliates and independent marketing companies. The Company's joint operations accounts receivable are from a number of oil and gas companies, partnerships, individuals and others who own interests in the properties operated by the Company. Management believes that any credit risk imposed by a concentration in the oil and gas industry is offset by the creditworthiness

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Laredo Petroleum, LLC and subsidiaries

Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements (Continued)

September 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

I—Credit risk (Continued)


of the Company's customer base. The Company routinely assesses the recoverability of all material joint operations and other receivables to determine collectability.

        The following table summarizes the net oil and gas sales (oil and gas sales less production taxes) received from the Company's related party and included in the statements of operations for the periods presented:

 
  For the
nine months
ended
September 30,
 
(in thousands)
  2011   2010  

Net oil and gas sales(1)

  $ 55,112   $ 20,509  

        The following table summarizes the amounts included in oil and gas sales receivable in the balance sheets for the periods presented:

(in thousands)
  At
September 30,
2011
  At
December 31,
2010
 

Oil and gas sales receivable(1)

  $ 6,702   $ 4,435  
           

(1)
The Company has a gas gathering and processing arrangement with affiliates of Targa Resources, Inc. ("Targa"). Warburg Pincus IX, a majority equityholder in the Company, and other Warburg Pincus affiliates hold investment interests in Targa. One of Laredo LLC's directors is on the board of directors of affiliates of Targa.

J—Commitments and contingencies

1.    Lease commitments

        The Company leases equipment and office space under operating leases expiring on various dates through 2016. Minimum annual lease commitments at September 30, 2011, and for the calendar years following are:

(in thousands)
   
 

Remaining 2011

  $ 342  

2012

    1,413  

2013

    1,448  

2014

    1,102  

2015

    731  

Thereafter

    283  
       

Total

  $ 5,319  
       

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Laredo Petroleum, LLC and subsidiaries

Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements (Continued)

September 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

J—Commitments and contingencies (Continued)

        The following table presents rent expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 
  Nine months
ended
September 30,
 
(in thousands)
  2011   2010  

Rent expense

  $ 885   $ 685  

        The Company's office space lease agreements contain scheduled escalation in lease payments during the term of the lease. In accordance with GAAP, the Company records rent expense on a straight-line basis and a deferred lease liability for the difference between the straight-line amount and the actual amounts of the lease payments.

2.    Litigation

        The Company may be involved in legal proceedings and/or is subject to industry rulings that could bring rise to claims in the ordinary course of business. The Company has concluded that the likelihood is remote that the ultimate resolution of any pending litigation or pending claims will be material or have a material adverse effect on its business, financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

3.    Drilling contracts

        The Company has committed to several short-term drilling and long-term contracts with various third parties in order to complete its various drilling projects. The contracts contain an early termination clause that require the Company to pay significant penalties to the third party should the Company cease drilling efforts. These penalties could significantly impact the Company's financial statements upon contract termination. These commitments are not recorded in the accompanying balance sheets. Future commitments as of September 30, 2011 are $16.9 million. Management does not anticipate canceling any drilling contracts or discontinuing drilling efforts in 2011.

4.    Federal and state regulations

        Oil and natural gas exploration, production and related operations are subject to extensive federal and state laws, rules and regulations. Failure to comply with these laws, rules and regulations can result in substantial penalties. The regulatory burden on the oil and natural gas industry increases the cost of doing business and affects profitability. The Company believes that it is in compliance with currently applicable material state and federal regulations and these regulations will not have a material adverse impact on the financial position or results of operations of the Company. Because these rules and regulations are frequently amended or reinterpreted, the Company is unable to predict the future cost or impact of complying with these regulations.

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Table of Contents


Laredo Petroleum, LLC and subsidiaries

Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements (Continued)

September 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

K—Defined contribution plan

        Laredo sponsors a 401(k) defined contribution plan for the benefit of substantially all employees at the date of hire. As part of the Broad Oak Transaction, Laredo began funding the former Broad Oak sponsored plan on July, 1, 2011. The former Broad Oak plan is substantially identical to the Laredo sponsored plan. The plans allow eligible employees to make tax-deferred contributions up to 100% of their annual compensation, not to exceed annual limits established by the federal government. Laredo makes matching contributions of up to 6% of an employee's compensation and may make additional discretionary contributions for eligible employees. Employees are 100% vested in the employer contributions upon receipt. The two plans will be merged January 1, 2012.

        The following table presents total contributions to the plans for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.

 
  Nine months
ended
September 30,
 
(in thousands)
  2011   2010  

Contributions

  $ 1,420   $ 968  

L—Other accrued current liabilities

        The following table provides the components of the Company's accrued other current liabilities at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010:

(in thousands)
  September 30,
2011
  December 31,
2010
 

Accrued expenses

  $ 2,267   $ 2,870  

Accrued interest payable

    5,172     1,542  

Production taxes payable

    1,617     1,378  

Prepaid drilling liability

    2,997     1,896  

Lease operating expense accrual

    4,364     2,913  

Other

    658     255  
           
 

Other accrued current liabilities

  $ 17,075   $ 10,854  
           

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Laredo Petroleum, LLC and subsidiaries

Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements (Continued)

September 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

M—Subsidiary guarantees

        Laredo LLC and all of Laredo's wholly-owned subsidiaries (Laredo Gas, Laredo Texas and Laredo Dallas, collectively, the "Subsidiary Guarantors") have fully and unconditionally guaranteed the 2019 Notes and Senior Secured Credit Facility (see Note C). In accordance with practices accepted by the SEC, the Company has prepared condensed consolidating financial statements in order to quantify the assets, results of operations and cash flows of such subsidiaries as issuer subsidiary guarantors. The following Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, and Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations and Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, present financial information for Laredo LLC as the parent of Laredo on a stand-alone basis (carrying any investments in subsidiaries under the equity method), financial information for Laredo on a stand-alone basis (carrying any investment in subsidiaries under the equity method), financial information for the Subsidiary Guarantors on a stand-alone basis (carrying any investment in subsidiaries under the equity method), and the consolidation and elimination entries necessary to arrive at the information for the Company on a condensed consolidated basis. All deferred income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 are recorded on the books of Laredo's statements of financial position, as Laredo's subsidiaries are flow-through entities for income tax purposes. Prior to the Broad Oak Transaction on July 1, 2011, both Laredo and Laredo Dallas were separate taxable entities and deferred income taxes for the Company are recorded separately. The Subsidiary Guarantors are not restricted from making distributions to Laredo.

F-37


Table of Contents


Laredo Petroleum, LLC and subsidiaries

Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements (Continued)

September 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

M—Subsidiary guarantees (Continued)


Condensed consolidating balance sheet
September 30, 2011

(in thousands)
  Laredo LLC   Laredo   Subsidiary
Guarantors
  Intercompany
eliminations
  Total  

Accounts receivable, net

  $   $ 36,600   $ 21,719   $   $ 58,319  

Other current assets

    31,103     30,036     12,966     (15,428 )   58,677  

Total oil and natural gas properties, net

        676,142     482,305         1,158,447  

Total pipeline and gas gathering assets, net

            46,684         46,684  

Total other fixed assets, net

        10,364     562         10,926  

Investment in subsidiaries

    518,833     420,169         (939,002 )    

Total other long-term assets

          143,450             143,450  
                       
 

Total assets

  $ 549,936   $ 1,316,761   $ 564,236   $ (954,430 ) $ 1,476,503  
                       

Accounts payable

  $ 1   $ 23,517   $ 10,597   $   $ 34,115  

Other current liabilities

        105,162     29,025     (15,428 )   118,759  

Other long-term liabilities

        5,735     4,682         10,417  

Long-term debt

        875,000             875,000  

Owners' equity

    549,935     307,347     519,932     (939,002 )   438,212  
                       
 

Total liabilities and owners' equity

  $ 549,936   $ 1,316,761   $ 564,236   $ (954,430 ) $ 1,476,503  
                       

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Table of Contents


Laredo Petroleum, LLC and subsidiaries

Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements (Continued)

September 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

M—Subsidiary guarantees (Continued)


Condensed consolidating balance sheet
December 31, 2010

(in thousands)
  Laredo LLC   Laredo   Subsidiary
Guarantors
  Intercompany
eliminations
  Total  

Accounts receivable, net

  $   $ 24,168   $ 19,771   $   $ 43,939  

Other current assets

    38,652     21,391     10,340     (13,906 )   56,477  

Total oil and natural gas properties, net

        430,242     333,040         763,282  

Total pipeline and gas gathering assets, net

            39,343         39,343  

Total other fixed assets, net

        6,915     353         7,268  

Investment in subsidiaries

    511,208     114,881         (626,089 )    

Total other long-term assets

        129,799     28,052         157,851  
                       
 

Total assets

  $ 549,860   $ 727,396   $ 430,899   $ (639,995 ) $ 1,068,160  
                       

Accounts payable

  $ 1   $ 42,311   $ 12,932   $ (13,906 ) $ 41,338  

Other current liabilities

        64,675     44,230         108,905  

Other long-term liabilities

        6,602     8,616         15,218  

Long-term debt

        277,500     214,100         491,600  

Owners' equity

    549,859     336,308     151,021     (626,089 )   411,099  
                       
 

Total liabilities and owners' equity

  $ 549,860   $ 727,396   $ 430,899   $ (639,995 ) $ 1,068,160  
                       

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Table of Contents


Laredo Petroleum, LLC and subsidiaries

Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements (Continued)

September 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

M—Subsidiary guarantees (Continued)


Condensed consolidating statement of operations
For the nine months ended September 30, 2011

(in thousands)
  Laredo LLC   Laredo   Subsidiary
Guarantors
  Intercompany
eliminations
  Total  

Total operating revenues

  $   $ 164,818   $ 211,688   $ (5,199 ) $ 371,307  

Total operating costs and expenses

    7     114,931     99,332     (5,199 )   209,071  
                       
 

Income (loss) from operations

    (7 )   49,887     112,356         162,236  

Interest income (expense), net

    83     (29,965 )   (5,097 )       (34,979 )

Other, net

        46,524     (11,214 )       35,310  
                       
 

Income before income tax

    76     66,446     96,045         162,567  

Income tax expense

        (37,178 )   (21,401 )       (58,579 )
                       
 

Net income

  $ 76   $ 29,268   $ 74,644   $   $ 103,988  
                       


Condensed consolidating statement of operations
For the nine months ended September 30, 2010

(in thousands)
  Laredo LLC   Laredo   Subsidiary
Guarantors
  Intercompany
eliminations
  Total  

Total operating revenues

  $   $ 62,381   $ 97,521   $ (2,841 ) $ 157,061  

Total operating costs and expenses

    7     61,858     51,628     (2,841 )   110,652  
                       
 

Income (loss) from operations

    (7 )   523     45,893         46,409  

Interest income (expense), net

    125     (7,558 )   (4,311 )       (11,744 )

Other, net

        20,345     3,318         23,663  
                       
 

Income before income tax

    118     13,310     44,900         58,328  

Income tax expense

        (5,777 )   (1,393 )       (7,170 )
                       
 

Net income

  $ 118   $ 7,533   $ 43,507   $   $ 51,158  
                       

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Table of Contents


Laredo Petroleum, LLC and subsidiaries

Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements (Continued)

September 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

M—Subsidiary guarantees (Continued)


Condensed consolidating statement of cash flows
For the nine months ended September 30, 2011

(in thousands)
  Laredo LLC   Laredo   Subsidiary
Guarantors
  Intercompany
eliminations
  Total  

Net cash flows provided by operating activities

  $ 76   $ 96,698   $ 138,421   $ (1,522 ) $ 233,673  

Net cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities

    (7,625 )   (597,609 )   85,970         (519,264 )

Net cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities

        500,911     (218,306 )       282,605  
                       
 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

    (7,549 )       6,085     (1,522 )   (2,986 )
 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

    38,652         6,489     (13,906 )   31,235  
                       
 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

  $ 31,103   $   $ 12,574   $ (15,428 ) $ 28,249  
                       


Condensed consolidating statement of cash flows
For the nine months ended September 30, 2010

(in thousands)
  Laredo LLC   Laredo   Subsidiary
Guarantors
  Intercompany
eliminations
  Total  

Net cash flows provided by operating activities

  $ 118   $ 25,710   $ 65,089   $ (163 ) $ 90,754  

Net cash flows used in investing activities

    (41,599 )   (69,387 )   (198,571 )       (309,557 )

Net cash flows provided by financing activities

    51,438     43,677     133,925         229,040  
                       
 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

    9,957         443     (163 )   10,237  
 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

    16,922         1,766     (3,701 )   14,987  
                       
 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

  $ 26,879   $   $ 2,209   $ (3,864 ) $ 25,224  
                       

N—Subsequent events

1.    Additional borrowing

        On each of October 11, 2011 and November 8, 2011, the Company drew $25.0 million from the Senior Secured Credit Facility. On October 11, 2011, the Senior Secured Credit Facility was amended to allow for the offering of an additional $200 million of senior unsecured notes. See Note N.2 below

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Laredo Petroleum, LLC and subsidiaries

Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements (Continued)

September 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

N—Subsequent events (Continued)


regarding such offering and subsequent payment of a portion of the Senior Secured Credit Facility. The outstanding balance under the Senior Secured Credit Facility was approximately $375.0 million at November 25, 2011.

2.    Offering of $200.0 million additional senior unsecured notes

        On October 19, 2011 Laredo completed an offering of $200 million additional senior unsecured notes, at a price of 101% of par. The additional notes were issued under the same Indenture as the 2019 Notes and became part of the same series as the 2019 Notes. As such, the additional notes will mature on February 15, 2019 and bear an interest rate of 9.5% payable semi-annually, in cash, in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each annual year, commencing February 15, 2012. Interest will accrue on the additional notes from August 15, 2011. The additional notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior unsecured basis by Laredo LLC, Laredo Texas, Laredo Gas and Laredo Dallas. The net proceeds from the additional notes were used to pay down $200.0 million of the loan amounts outstanding under the Senior Secured Credit Facility.

3.    Borrowing base increase

        The borrowing base under the Senior Secured Credit Facility was increased to $712.5 million on October 28, 2011.

4.    New derivative contracts

        On October 26, 2011, the Company entered into four new derivative contracts, with approximately $4.8 million in deferred premiums associated. The following table presents these new contracts:

 
  Aggregate
volumes
  Index price   Contract period

Oil (volumes in Bbls):

             
 

Price collar

    348,000   $75.00 - $125.00   January 2012 - December 2012
 

Price collar

    312,000   $75.00 - $125.00   January 2013 - December 2013
 

Price collar

    264,000   $75.00 - $125.00   January 2014 - December 2014

Natural gas (volumes in MMBtu):

             
 

Price collar

    3,480,000   $4.00 - $7.00   January 2014 - December 2014

        We have evaluated subsequent events for recognition or disclosure through December 12, 2011, which was the date the financial statements were filed with the SEC.

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Board of Managers and Members
Laredo Petroleum, LLC

        We have audited the accompanying combined balance sheets of Laredo Petroleum (the "Company") (the combined operations of Laredo Petroleum, LLC, Laredo Petroleum, Inc., Laredo Petroleum Texas, LLC, Laredo Gas Services, LLC and Broad Oak Energy, Inc. as described in Note A) as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the related combined statements of income, owners' equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2010. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

        We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

        In our opinion, the combined financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Laredo Petroleum as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2010, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP

Tulsa, Oklahoma
August 23, 2011

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Table of Contents


Laredo Petroleum

Combined balance sheets

December 31, 2010 and 2009

(in thousands)

 
  2010   2009  

ASSETS

             

CURRENT ASSETS:

             
 

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 31,235   $ 14,987  
 

Accounts receivable, net:

             
   

Oil and gas sales

    31,773     14,160  
   

Joint operations

    12,031     5,621  
   

Other

    135     859  
 

Capital contributions receivable

        50,000  
 

Materials and supplies

    4,154     559  
 

Prepaid expenses

    1,483     3,295  
 

Derivative financial instruments

    8,376     4,663  
 

Deferred income taxes

    11,229     5,749  
           
     

Total current assets

    100,416     99,893  
           

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:

             
 

Oil and gas properties, full cost method:

             
   

Proved properties

    1,379,885     881,106  
   

Unproved properties not being amortized

    96,515     92,847  
 

Pipeline and gas gathering assets

    43,271     38,166  
 

Other fixed assets

    10,869     8,507  
           

    1,530,540     1,020,626  
 

Less accumulated depreciation, depletion, amortization and impairment

   
720,647
   
624,526
 
           
     

Net property and equipment

    809,893     396,100  
           

OTHER ASSETS, net

    85     104  

MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES

    1,886     1,338  

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES

    143,723     123,391  

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

    1,804     2,143  

DEFERRED LOAN COSTS, net

    10,353     2,375  
           
     

Total assets

  $ 1,068,160   $ 625,344  
           

LIABILITIES AND OWNERS' EQUITY

             

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

             
 

Accounts payable

  $ 41,338   $ 34,284  
 

Undistributed revenue and royalties

    10,664     9,929  
 

Accrued capital expenditures

    65,900     19,696  
 

Accrued compensation and benefits

    8,778     3,157  
 

Other accrued liabilities

    10,854     6,223  
 

Current portion of asset retirement obligations

    731     1,528  
 

Derivative financial instruments

    11,978     4,448  
           
     

Total current liabilities

    150,243     79,265  
           

LONG-TERM DEBT

    491,600     247,100  

GAS IMBALANCES

    1,093     1,108  

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

    5,987     3,737  

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

    7,547     4,317  

DEFERRED LEASE LIABILITY

    591     710  
           
     

Total liabilities

    657,061     336,237  
           

OWNERS' EQUITY, per accompanying statement

    411,099     289,107  
           
     

Total liabilities and owners' equity

  $ 1,068,160   $ 625,344  
           

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined financial statements.

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Table of Contents


Laredo Petroleum

Combined statements of operations

For the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

(in thousands)

 
  2010   2009   2008  

REVENUES:

                   
 

Oil and gas sales

  $ 239,783   $ 94,347   $ 73,883  
 

Natural gas transportation and treating

    2,217     2,227     304  
 

Drilling and production

    4     318     548  
               
     

Total revenues

    242,004     96,892     74,735  
               

COSTS AND EXPENSES:

                   
 

Lease operating expenses

    21,684     12,531     6,436  
 

Production and ad valorem taxes

    15,699     6,129     5,481  
 

Natural gas transportation and treating

    2,501     1,416     154  
 

Drilling rig fees

        1,606      
 

Drilling and production

    344     1,076     23  
 

General and administrative

    30,908     22,492     23,248  
 

Bad debt expense

        91      
 

Accretion of asset retirement obligations

    475     406     170  
 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    97,411     58,005     33,102  
 

Impairment expense

        246,669     282,587  
               
     

Total costs and expenses

    169,022     350,421     351,201  
               

OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)

    72,982     (253,529 )   (276,466 )
               

NON-OPERATING INCOME (EXPENSE):

                   
 

Realized and unrealized gain (loss):

                   
   

Commodity derivative financial instruments, net

    11,190     5,744     40,569  
   

Interest rate derivatives, net

    (5,375 )   (3,394 )   (6,274 )
 

Interest expense

    (18,482 )   (7,464 )   (4,410 )
 

Interest income

    150     223     781  
 

Loss on disposal of assets

    (30 )   (85 )   (2 )
 

Other

    1     4     38  
               
     

Non-operating income (expense), net

    (12,546 )   (4,972 )   30,702  
               
 

Income (loss) before income taxes

    60,436     (258,501 )   (245,764 )
               

INCOME TAX (EXPENSE) BENEFIT:

                   
 

Current

            (12 )
 

Deferred

    25,812     74,006     53,729  
               
     

Total income tax benefit, net

    25,812     74,006     53,717  
               

NET INCOME (LOSS)

  $ 86,248   $ (184,495 ) $ (192,047 )
               

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined financial statements.

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Table of Contents


Laredo Petroleum

Combined statements of owners' equity

For the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

(in thousands)

 
  Series A   Restricted Units    
   
   
   
 
 
  Treasury
Units
(at cost)
  Other
equity
interests
  Accumulated
deficit
   
 
 
  Units   Amount   Units   Amount   Total  

BALANCE, December 31, 2007

    14,000   $ 70,000     7,236   $   $     $ 47,601   $ (7,894 ) $ 109,707  
 

Issuance of equity interests

    62,000     329,820                 69,020         398,840  
 

Equity-based compensation

            9,318     1,864                 1,864  
 

Cancellation of restricted units

            (17 )                    
 

Net loss

                            (192,047 )   (192,047 )
                                   

BALANCE, December 31, 2008

    76,000     399,820     16,537     1,864         116,621     (199,941 )   318,364  
                                   
 

Issuance of equity interests

    20,000     125,000                 29,581         154,581  
 

Purchase of equity interests

                    (300 )   (632 )       (932 )
 

Cancellation of Series A Units

    (48 )   (120 )           300             180  
 

Equity-based compensation

            10,694     1,419                 1,419  
 

Purchase of restricted units

                    (10 )           (10 )
 

Cancellation of restricted units

            (272 )   (10 )   10              
 

Net loss

                            (184,495 )   (184,495 )
                                   

BALANCE, December 31, 2009

    95,952     524,700     26,959     3,273         145,570     (384,436 )   289,107  
                                   
 

Issuance of equity interests

    4,000     25,000                 10,000         35,000  
 

Purchase of equity interests

                    (513 )           (513 )
 

Cancellation of Series A Units

    (82 )   (513 )           513              
 

Equity-based compensation

            6,286     1,231         26         1,257  
 

Cancellation of restricted units

            (1,813 )                    
 

Net income

                            86,248     86,248  
                                   

BALANCE, December 31, 2010

    99,870   $ 549,187     31,432   $ 4,504   $   $ 155,596   $ (298,188 ) $ 411,099  
                                   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined financial statements.

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Laredo Petroleum

Combined statements of cash flows

For the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

(in thousands)

 
  2010   2009   2008  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

                   
 

Net income (loss)

  $ 86,248   $ (184,495 ) $ (192,047 )
 

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:

                   
     

Deferred income tax benefit

    (25,812 )   (74,006 )   (53,729 )
     

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    97,411     58,005     33,102  
     

Impairment expense

        246,669     282,587  
     

Non-cash equity-based compensation

    1,257     1,419     1,864  
     

Accretion of asset retirement obligations

    475     406     170  
     

Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative financial instruments, net

    11,648     46,003     (27,174 )
     

Premiums paid for derivative financial instruments

    (5,397 )   (6,283 )   (10,068 )
     

Amortization of premiums paid for derivative financial instruments

    155          
     

Other non-cash compensation

            100  
     

Bad debt expense

        91      
     

Amortization of deferred loan costs

    2,132     546     120  
     

Amortization of other assets

    19     9     3  
     

Loss on disposal of assets

    30     85     2  
 

Changes in assets and liabilities:

                   
     

Change in accounts receivable

    (23,299 )   22,062     (38,925 )
     

Change in materials and supplies

    (4,143 )   2,887     (5,574 )
     

Change in prepaid expenses

    1,812     3,303     (6,370 )
     

Change in other assets

        (98 )   (19 )
     

Change in accounts payable

    5,711     (6,753 )   27,353  
     

Change in undistributed revenue and royalties

    735     1,905     6,540  
     

Change in accrued compensation and benefits

    5,621     (3,188 )   4,359  
     

Change in other accrued liabilities

    2,457     3,781     2,899  
     

Change in deferred lease liability

    (17 )   321     139  
               
       

Net cash provided by operating activities

    157,043     112,669     25,332  
               

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

                   
 

Acquisition of oil and gas properties

            (179,141 )
 

Restricted cash

        2,201     (2,201 )
 

Capital expenditures:

                   
   

Oil and gas properties

    (454,161 )   (340,636 )   (288,555 )
   

Pipeline and gathering assets

    (4,277 )   (19,995 )   (17,548 )
   

Other fixed assets

    (2,198 )   (3,071 )   (3,474 )
 

Proceeds from other fixed asset disposals

    89     168     22  
               
       

Net cash used in investing activities

    (460,547 )   (361,333 )   (490,897 )
               

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

                   
 

Borrowings on revolving credit facilities

    250,300     114,400     104,100  
 

Payments on revolving credit facilities

    (105,800 )   (15,900 )    
 

Borrowings on term loan

    100,000          
 

Proceeds from issuance of equity interests, net

    10,000     29,580     69,079  
 

Purchase of equity interests and units, net

    (513 )   (762 )    
 

Capital contributions

    75,000     125,000     299,720  
 

Payments for loan costs

    (9,235 )   (2,179 )   (759 )
               
       

Net cash provided by financing activities

    319,752     250,139     472,140  
               

NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

    16,248     1,475     6,575  

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of year

    14,987     13,512     6,937  
               

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of year

  $ 31,235   $ 14,987   $ 13,512  
               

NON-CASH FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

                   
 

Capital contributions receivable

  $   $ 50,000   $ 50,000  
               

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

                   
   

Cash paid during the period:

                   
     

Interest

  $ 15,223   $ 7,096   $ 3,828  
               

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined financial statements.

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Table of Contents


Laredo Petroleum

Notes to the combined financial statements

December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

A—Organization

        Laredo Petroleum, Inc. ("Laredo"), a Delaware corporation, was incorporated on October 10, 2006, for the purpose of acquiring, developing and operating oil and gas producing properties on its behalf and on the behalf of others. On October 20, 2006, Laredo entered into a consulting agreement with Warburg Pincus Private Equity IX, L.P. ("Warburg Pincus IX") under which Laredo, as an independent contractor, agreed to pursue and develop acquisition and investment opportunities in the oil and gas industry for the benefit of Warburg Pincus IX and certain of its affiliates, all formed by and under common control of Warburg Pincus LLC (collectively, the "Warburg Pincus Partnerships").

        Laredo Petroleum Texas, LLC ("Laredo Texas"), a Texas limited liability company, was formed in 2007 and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Laredo. Laredo Texas was formed to acquire ownership interest in certain oil and gas properties primarily in Hansford, Hutchinson, Roberts and Ochiltree Counties, Texas.

        Laredo Gas Services, LLC ("Laredo Gas"), a Delaware limited liability company, was formed in 2007 and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Laredo. Laredo Gas was formed to own and operate gathering and marketing assets and related facilities for Laredo and Laredo Texas.

        In May 2007, certain investors of the Warburg Pincus Partnerships and Laredo management contributed their common stock in Laredo to Laredo Petroleum, LLC ("Laredo LLC"), a Delaware limited liability company, and Laredo became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Laredo LLC. The consulting agreement between Laredo and Warburg Pincus IX was consequently terminated. Laredo LLC is focused on the exploration, development and acquisition of oil and natural gas in the Mid-Continent and Permian regions of the United States.

        In these notes, the "Company" refers to Laredo LLC, Laredo, Laredo Texas and Laredo Gas, collectively.

        Broad Oak Energy, Inc. ("Broad Oak"), a Delaware corporation, was formed on May 11, 2006, and was engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development and production of oil and natural gas in the southwestern United States. Immediately upon formation, Broad Oak entered into a stock purchase agreement with Warburg Pincus IX and Broad Oak management.

        On July 1, 2011, Laredo LLC and Laredo completed the acquisition of Broad Oak, which became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Laredo. In connection with the transaction, Laredo LLC issued: (i) approximately 86.5 million preferred equity units to Warburg Pincus IX and its affiliate in exchange for the convertible preferred stock previously held in Broad Oak; and (ii) approximately 2.4 million preferred equity units to Broad Oak's management and directors in exchange for certain of the vested common stock and convertible preferred stock previously held in Broad Oak. In addition, Laredo paid approximately $82 million in cash for certain Broad Oak vested common stock, convertible preferred stock and all outstanding and vested Broad Oak options that certain Broad Oak directors, management and employees elected to sell. All unvested shares of Broad Oak common stock and unvested Broad Oak options were cancelled. Immediately following the consummation of this transaction, Laredo LLC assigned 100% of its ownership interest in Broad Oak to Laredo as a contribution to capital (the transactions described in this paragraph collectively, the "Broad Oak Transaction"). In connection with the Broad Oak Transaction, the Broad Oak Credit Facility was paid in full and terminated on July 1, 2011.

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Laredo Petroleum

Notes to the combined financial statements (Continued)

December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

A—Organization (Continued)

        Because the Company and Broad Oak (collectively and including Laredo, Laredo Texas and Laredo Gas, the "Combined Company" or "Laredo Petroleum") are commonly controlled by Warburg Pincus Partnerships, the Broad Oak Transaction was accounted for in a manner similar to a pooling of interests. As a result, the combined historical financial statements give retrospective effect to the Broad Oak Transaction, whereby the assets and liabilities of the Company and Broad Oak are reflected at the historical carrying values and their operations are presented as if they were combined for all periods presented. The combined equity statement presents Broad Oak's historical equity as "Other equity interests," all of which was exchanged for either (i) equity in Laredo LLC through BOE Preferred Units or (ii) cash in the Broad Oak Transaction.

        On August 12, 2011, Laredo LLC formed a new wholly-owned subsidiary, Laredo Petroleum Holdings, Inc. ("Laredo Holdings") in anticipation of an initial public offering ("IPO"). Immediately prior to the effectiveness of the IPO, Laredo LLC will be merged into Laredo Holdings and Laredo Holdings will continue as the surviving corporation.

B—Basis of presentation and significant accounting policies

1.    Basis of presentation

        The accompanying combined financial statements were derived from the historical accounting records of the Combined Company and reflect the historical financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods described herein. All material intercompany transactions and account balances have been eliminated in the combination of accounts. The accompanying combined financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). The Combined Company operates oil and natural gas properties as one business segment, which explores, develops and produces oil and natural gas.

2.    Use of estimates in the preparation of combined financial statements

        The preparation of the accompanying combined financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management of the Combined Company to make estimates and assumptions about future events. These estimates and the underlying assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Although management believes these estimates are reasonable, actual results could differ from those estimates.

        Significant estimates include, but are not limited to, estimates of the Combined Company's reserves of oil and natural gas, future cash flows from oil and natural gas properties, depreciation, depletion and amortization, asset retirement obligations, equity-based compensation, deferred income taxes, and fair values of commodity and interest rate derivatives. As fair value is a market-based measurement, it is determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use. These estimates and assumptions are based on management's best judgments. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, which management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Such estimates and assumptions are adjusted when facts and circumstances dictate. Illiquid credit markets and volatile equity and energy markets have combined to increase the

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Table of Contents


Laredo Petroleum

Notes to the combined financial statements (Continued)

December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

B—Basis of presentation and significant accounting policies (Continued)


uncertainty inherent in such estimates and assumptions. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ from these estimates. Any changes in estimates resulting from continuing changes in the economic environment will be reflected in the financial statements in future periods.

3.    Cash and cash equivalents

        The Combined Company maintains cash and cash equivalents in bank deposit accounts and money market funds that may not be federally insured. The Combined Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk on such accounts. The Combined Company defines cash and cash equivalents to include cash on hand, cash in bank accounts and highly liquid investments with original maturities of thirty days or less.

4.    Accounts receivable

        The Combined Company sells oil and gas to various customers and participates with other parties in the drilling, completion and operation of oil and gas wells. Joint interest and oil and gas sales receivables related to these operations are generally unsecured. Accounts receivable for joint interest billings are recorded as amounts billed to customers less an allowance for doubtful accounts. Amounts are considered past due after 30 days. The Combined Company determines joint interest operations accounts receivable allowances based on management's assessment of the creditworthiness of the joint interest owners and the Combined Company's ability to realize the receivables through netting of anticipated future production revenues. The Combined Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses inherent in its accounts receivable portfolio. In establishing the required allowance, management considers historical losses, current receivables aging, and existing industry and national economic data. The Combined Company reviews its allowance for doubtful accounts quarterly. Past due balances over 90 days and over a specified amount are reviewed individually for collectability. Account balances are charged off against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is remote. Accounts receivable for joint operations are presented net of an allowance for doubtful accounts of approximately $0.1 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

5.    Materials and supplies

        Materials and supplies are comprised of equipment used in developing oil and gas properties. They are carried at the lower of cost or market using the average cost method. On a regular basis, the Combined Company reviews materials and supplies quantities on hand and records a provision for excess or obsolete materials and supplies, if necessary.

        At December 31, 2009, the Combined Company reduced materials and supplies by approximately $0.8 million in order to reflect the balance at the lower of cost or market. Although management believes it has established adequate allowances, it is possible that additional losses on materials and supplies could occur in future periods. The Combined Company determined a lower of cost or market adjustment was not necessary for materials and supplies at December 31, 2010.

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Table of Contents


Laredo Petroleum

Notes to the combined financial statements (Continued)

December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

B—Basis of presentation and significant accounting policies (Continued)

6.    Derivative financial instruments

        The Combined Company uses derivative financial instruments to reduce exposure to fluctuations in the prices of oil and natural gas. By removing a significant portion of the price volatility associated with future production, the Combined Company expects to mitigate, but not eliminate, the potential effects of variability in cash flows from operations due to fluctuations in commodity prices. These transactions are primarily in the form of swaps, basis swaps, puts and collars. In addition, the Combined Company enters into derivative contracts in the form of interest rate derivatives to minimize the effects of fluctuations in interest rates.

        Derivative instruments are recorded at fair value and are included on the combined balance sheets as assets or liabilities. The Combined Company netted the fair value of derivative instruments by counterparty in the accompanying combined balance sheets where the right of offset exists. The Combined Company determines the fair value of its derivative financial instruments utilizing pricing models for significantly similar instruments. Inputs to the pricing models include publicly available prices and forward price curves generated from a compilation of data gathered from third parties.

        The Combined Company's derivatives at December 31, 2010, 2009 or 2008 were not designated as hedges for financial statement purposes. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on derivatives are included in cash flows from operating activities (see Note H).

7.    Oil and natural gas properties

        The Combined Company uses the full cost method of accounting for its oil and gas properties. Under this method, all acquisition, exploration and development costs, including certain related employee costs, incurred for the purpose of finding oil and gas are capitalized and amortized on a composite units of production method based on proved oil and natural gas reserves. Such amounts include the cost of drilling and equipping productive wells, dry hole costs, lease acquisition costs, delay rentals and other costs related to such activities. Costs, including related employee costs, associated with production and general corporate activities are expensed in the period incurred. Sales of oil and gas properties, whether or not being amortized currently, are accounted for as adjustments of capitalized costs, with no gain or loss recognized, unless such adjustments would significantly alter the relationship between capitalized costs and proved reserves of oil and gas.

        The Combined Company computes the provision for depletion of oil and gas properties using the units of production method based upon production and estimates of proved reserve quantities. Unevaluated costs and related carrying costs are excluded from the amortization base until the properties associated with these costs are evaluated. Approximately $96.5 million and $92.8 million of such costs were excluded from the amortization base at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The amortization base includes estimated future development costs and dismantlement, restoration and abandonment costs, net of estimated salvage values. Total accumulated depletion for oil and gas properties was $713.1 million and $620.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Depletion expense for oil and gas properties was $93.8 million, $55.4 million, and $31.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Impairment expense net of abandoned and plugged oil and gas properties was $245.9 million and $282.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. There was no impairment recorded for year

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Table of Contents


Laredo Petroleum

Notes to the combined financial statements (Continued)

December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

B—Basis of presentation and significant accounting policies (Continued)


ended December 31, 2010. Depletion per barrel of oil equivalent for the Combined Company's oil and gas properties was $18.36, $16.56 and $20.69 for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

        The Combined Company excludes the costs directly associated with acquisition and evaluation of unproved properties from the depletion calculation until it is determined whether or not proved reserves can be assigned to the properties. These properties are assessed at least quarterly to ascertain whether impairment has occurred. Such costs are transferred into the amortization base on an ongoing basis as projects are evaluated and proved reserves established or impairment is determined.

        The Combined Company assesses all items classified as unevaluated property on a quarterly basis for possible impairment or reduction in value. The assessment includes consideration of the following factors, among others: intent to drill, remaining lease term, geological and geophysical evaluations, drilling results and activity, the assignment of proved reserves, and the economic viability of development if proved reserves are assigned. During any period in which these factors indicate an impairment, the cumulative drilling costs incurred to date for such property and all or a portion of the associated leasehold costs are transferred to the full cost pool and are then subject to amortization.

        The full cost ceiling is based principally on the estimated future net cash flows from oil and natural gas properties discounted at 10%. Full cost companies are required to use the unweighted arithmetic average first-day-of-the-month price for each month within the 12-month period prior to the end of the reporting period, unless prices were defined by contractual arrangements, to calculate the discounted future revenues. Prior to December 31, 2009, the price was based on the single-day, period end price. In the event the unamortized cost of oil and natural gas properties being amortized exceeds the full cost ceiling, as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), the excess is charged to expense in the period during which such excess occurs. Once incurred, a write-down of oil and natural gas properties is not reversible.

        At December 31, 2010, the full cost ceiling value of the Combined Company's reserves was calculated based on the unweighted arithmetic average first-day-of-the-month price for the 12-months ended December 31, 2010 of $4.15 per MMBtu for natural gas, adjusted by area for energy content, transportation fees, and regional price differentials by area, and the unweighted arithmetic average first-day-of-the-month price for the 12-months ended December 31, 2010 of $75.96 per barrel for oil, adjusted by area for energy content, transportation fees, and regional price differentials by area. Using these prices, the Combined Company's net book value of oil and natural gas properties did not exceed the full cost ceiling amount at December 31, 2010. Changes in production rates, levels of reserves, future development costs, and other factors will determine the Combined Company's actual full cost ceiling test calculation and impairment analyses in future periods.

        At December 31, 2009, the full cost ceiling value of the Combined Company's reserves was calculated based on the unweighted arithmetic average first-day-of-the-month price for each month within the 12-month period ended December 31, 2009 price of $3.15 per MMBtu for natural gas, adjusted by lease for energy content, transportation fees, and regional price differentials, on the unweighted arithmetic average first-day-of-the-month price for each month within the 12-month period ended December 31, 2009 price of $57.04 per barrel for oil, adjusted by lease for quality, transportation fees, and regional price differentials. Using these prices, the Combined Company's net book value of

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Laredo Petroleum

Notes to the combined financial statements (Continued)

December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

B—Basis of presentation and significant accounting policies (Continued)


oil and natural gas properties at December 31, 2009, exceeded the full cost ceiling amount. As a result, the Combined Company recorded a non-cash full cost ceiling impairment of $245.9 million before income taxes and $159.8 million after taxes.

        At December 31, 2008, the full cost ceiling value of the Combined Company's reserves was calculated based on the December 31, 2008 price of $4.68 per MMBtu for natural gas, adjusted by lease for energy content, transportation fees, and regional price differentials, and the posted price of $44.60 per barrel for oil, adjusted by area for quality, transportation fees, and regional price differentials. Using these prices, the Combined Company's net book value of oil and natural gas properties at December 31, 2008 exceeded the full cost ceiling amount. As a result, the Combined Company recorded a non-cash full cost ceiling impairment of $282.6 million before taxes and $183.7 million after taxes.

8.    Pipeline and gas gathering assets

        Pipeline and gas gathering assets are recorded at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization ("DD&A"), and consist of gathering assets and related equipment. Depreciation of assets is provided using the shorter of the lease term or the straight-line method based on estimated useful lives of twenty years, as applicable. Expenditures for major renewals or betterments, which extend the useful lives of existing fixed assets, are capitalized and depreciated. Upon retirement or disposition, the cost and related accumulated depreciation and amortization are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is recognized in other income in the combined statements of operations. DD&A expense for pipeline and gathering assets was $2.0 million, $1.5 million, and $0.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Pipeline and gathering assets consist of the following as of December 31:

(in thousands)
  2010   2009  

Pipeline and gas gathering assets

  $ 43,271   $ 38,166  

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

    3,928     1,946  
           
 

Total, net

  $ 39,343   $ 36,220  
           

9.    Other fixed assets

        Other fixed assets are recorded at cost net of accumulated depreciation and amortization and consist of furniture and fixtures, vehicles, leasehold improvements and computer hardware and software. Depreciation of other fixed assets is provided using the shorter of the lease term or the straight-line method based on estimated useful lives of three to ten years, as applicable. Leasehold improvements are capitalized and amortized over the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the assets or the terms of the related leases. Expenditures for major renewals or betterments, which extend the useful lives of existing fixed assets, are capitalized and depreciated. Upon retirement or disposition, the cost and related accumulated depreciation and amortization are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is recognized in other income in the combined statements of operations. DD&A expense for other fixed assets was $1.6 million, $1.1 million, and $0.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008.

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Laredo Petroleum

Notes to the combined financial statements (Continued)

December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

B—Basis of presentation and significant accounting policies (Continued)

        Other property and equipment fixed assets consist of the following as of December 31:

(in thousands)
  2010   2009  

Computer hardware and software

  $ 4,553   $ 3,430  

Leasehold improvements

    1,781     1,692  

Drilling service assets

    1,839     1,425  

Vehicles

    971     708  

Furniture and fixtures

    673     586  

Production equipment

    219     163  

Other

    833     503  
           

    10,869     8,507  

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

    3,601     2,043  
           
 

Total, net

  $ 7,268   $ 6,464  
           

10.    Environmental

        The Combined Company is subject to extensive federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations. These laws, which are often changing, regulate the discharge of materials into the environment and may require the Combined Company to remove or mitigate the environmental effects of the disposal or release of petroleum or chemical substances at various sites. Environmental expenditures are expensed. Expenditures that relate to an existing condition caused by past operations and that have no future economic benefits are expensed. Liabilities for expenditures of a non-capital nature are recorded when environmental assessment or remediation is probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated. Such liabilities are generally undiscounted unless the timing of cash payments is fixed and readily determinable. Management believes no materially significant liabilities of this nature existed at December 31, 2010 or 2009.

11.    Deferred loan costs

        Loan origination fees are stated at cost, net of amortization, which are amortized over the life of the respective debt agreements on a basis that represents the effective interest method. The Combined Company capitalized $10.1 million and $2.2 million of deferred loan costs in 2010 and 2009, respectively. The Combined Company had total deferred loan costs of $10.4 million and $2.4 million, net of accumulated amortization of $2.8 million and $0.7 million, as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

        Subsequent to December 31, 2010, Laredo completed an offering of $350 million 91/2% Senior Notes due 2019 ("2019 Notes"). Of the $10.1 million capitalized during 2010, $0.9 million related to fees incurred in conjunction with the 2019 Notes offering. See Note O for additional discussion of the 2019 Notes offering.

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Laredo Petroleum

Notes to the combined financial statements (Continued)

December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

B—Basis of presentation and significant accounting policies (Continued)

        Future amortization expense of deferred loan costs at December 31, 2010 is as follows:

(in thousands)
   
 

2011

  $ 3,186  

2012

    3,186  

2013

    2,176  

2014

    1,368  

2015

    109  

Thereafter

    328  
       

Total

  $ 10,353  
       

12.    Asset retirement obligations

        Asset retirement obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets, are recognized as a liability in the period in which they are incurred and become determinable. The associated asset retirement costs are part of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset. Subsequently, the asset retirement cost included in the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset is charged to expense through the depletion of the asset. Changes in the liability due to the passage of time are recognized as an increase in the carrying amount of the liability and as corresponding accretion expense. See Note I for fair value disclosures related to the Combined Company's asset retirement obligation.

        The Combined Company is obligated by contractual and regulatory requirements to remove certain pipeline and gas gathering assets and perform other remediation of the sites where such pipeline and gas gathering assets are located upon the retirement of those assets. However, the fair value of the asset retirement obligation cannot currently be reasonably estimated because the settlement dates are indeterminate. The Combined Company will record an asset retirement obligation for pipeline and gas gathering assets in the periods in which settlement dates are reasonably determinable.

        The following reconciles the Combined Company's asset retirement obligations liability as of December 31:

(in thousands)
  2010   2009  

Liability at beginning of year

  $ 5,845   $ 3,829  

Liabilities added due to acquisitions, drilling, and other

    1,291     1,401  

Liabilities removed due to sale of wells

    (34 )   (312 )

Accretion expense

    475     406  

Liabilities settled upon plugging and abandonment

    (1,250 )   (156 )

Revision of estimates

    1,951     677  
           

Liability at end of year

  $ 8,278   $ 5,845  
           

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Table of Contents


Laredo Petroleum

Notes to the combined financial statements (Continued)

December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

B—Basis of presentation and significant accounting policies (Continued)

13.    Fair value measurements

        The carrying amounts reported in the Combined Balance Sheet for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, prepaid expenses, accounts payable, undistributed revenue and royalties, and other accrued liabilities approximate their fair values. See Note D for fair value disclosures related to the Combined Company's debt obligations. The Combined Company carries its derivative financial instruments at fair value. See Note H and Note I for details about the fair value of the Combined Company's derivative financial instruments.

14.    Treasury stock

        The Combined Company accounts for treasury stock at cost. See Note E for discussion of the Combined Company's treasury stock transactions.

15.    Revenue recognition

        Oil and gas revenues are recorded using the sales method. Under this method, the Combined Company recognizes revenues based on actual volumes of oil and gas sold to purchasers. The Combined Company and other joint interest owners may sell more or less than their entitlement share of the volumes produced. Under the sales method, when a working interest owner has overproduced in excess of its share of remaining estimated reserves, the overproduced party recognizes the excessive gas imbalance as a liability. If the underproduced working interest owner determines that an overproduced partner's share of remaining net reserves is insufficient to settle the imbalance, the underproduced owner recognizes a receivable, net of any allowance from the overproduced working interest owner.

        The following tables reflect the Combined Company's natural gas imbalance positions as of December 31:

(dollars in thousands)
  2010   2009  

Natural gas imbalance current receivable (included in "Accounts receivable—Oil and gas sales")

  $ 174   $ 172  

Underproduced positions (Mcf)

    43,720     44,557  

Natural gas imbalance current liability (included in "Other accrued liabilities")

 
$

15
 
$

24
 

Overproduced positions (Mcf)

    3,839     6,145  

Natural gas imbalance long-term liability

 
$

1,093
 
$

1,108
 

Overproduced positions (Mcf)

    275,201     286,504  

 

 
  Twelve months ended
December 31
 
(dollars in thousands)
  2010   2009  

Value of net underproduced (overproduced) positions arising during the period increasing oil and gas sales

  $ 25   $ (311 )

Net overproduced positions arising during the period (Mcf)

    (12,772 )   63,229  

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Laredo Petroleum

Notes to the combined financial statements (Continued)

December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

B—Basis of presentation and significant accounting policies (Continued)

16.    General and administrative expense

        The Combined Company receives fees for the operation of jointly owned oil and gas properties and records such reimbursements as a reduction of general and administrative expenses. Such fees totaled approximately $1.5 million, $1.3 million and $0.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

17.    Equity-based awards

        The Combined Company recognizes equity-based awards as a charge against earnings over the requisite service period, in an amount equal to the fair value of equity-based awards granted to employees and directors. The fair value of the equity-based awards is computed at the date of grant. Refer to Note F for further information regarding the Combined Company's equity-based awards.

18.    Income taxes

        Income taxes in these financial statements are generally presented on an "as combined" basis. However, in light of the historic ownership structure of the combined entities, U.S. tax laws do not allow tax losses of one entity to offset income and losses of another entity until after the consummation of the Broad Oak Transaction on July 1, 2011. As such, the financial accounting for the income tax consequences of each combined company is calculated separately in these combined financial statements.

        Laredo LLC is a limited liability company treated as a partnership for federal and state income tax purposes. The taxable income of Laredo LLC is passed through to its members. As such, no recognition of federal or state income taxes for Laredo LLC has been provided for in the accompanying combined financial statements. Laredo LLC's subsidiaries and Broad Oak are separate taxable corporations and these corporations along with subsidiaries that are organized as limited liability companies, are subject to federal and state corporate income taxes. These income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating losses and tax credit carry-forwards. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. On a quarterly basis, management evaluates the need for and adequacy of valuation allowances based on the expected realizability of the deferred tax assets and adjusts the amount of such allowances, if necessary. Additionally, the Combined Company has not recorded any reserves for uncertain tax positions. See Note G for detail of amounts recorded in the combined financial statements.

19.    Impairment of long-lived assets

        Impairment losses are recorded on property and equipment used in operations and other long-lived assets when indicators of impairment are present and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the assets' carrying amount. Impairment is measured

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Laredo Petroleum

Notes to the combined financial statements (Continued)

December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

B—Basis of presentation and significant accounting policies (Continued)


based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the asset. See Note B.5 for disclosure of the 2009 write-down of materials and supplies and Note B.7 for disclosure of the 2009 and 2008 non-cash full cost ceiling impairment. Other than the aforementioned write-downs, for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, the Combined Company did not record any additional impairment to property and equipment used in operations or other long-lived assets.

C—Acquisitions

        The Combined Company makes various assumptions in estimating the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. As fair value is a market-based measurement, it is determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use. The most significant assumptions relate to the estimated fair values of proved and unproved oil and natural gas properties. The fair values of these properties are measured using valuation techniques that convert future cash flows to a single discounted amount. Significant inputs to the valuation include estimates of: (i) reserves; (ii) future operating and development costs; (iii) future commodity prices; and (iv) a market-based weighted average cost of capital rate. The market-based weighted average cost of capital rate is subjected to additional project-specific risk factors. To compensate for the inherent risk of estimating and valuing unproved properties, the discounted future net revenues of probable and possible reserves are reduced by additional risk-weighting factors. In addition, when appropriate, the Combined Company reviews comparable purchases and sales of oil and natural gas properties within the same regions, and uses that data as a proxy for fair market value (i.e., the amount a willing buyer and seller would agree to in exchange for such properties).

        Any excess of the acquisition price over the estimated fair value of net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill while any excess of the estimated fair value of net assets acquired over the acquisition process is recorded in current earnings as a gain. Deferred taxes are recorded for any differences between the assigned values and the tax basis of assets and liabilities. Estimated deferred taxes are based on available information concerning the tax basis of assets acquired and liabilities assumed and loss carry-forwards at the acquisition date, although such estimates may change in the future as additional information becomes known.

        On May 30, 2008, Laredo LLC, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Laredo, entered into two purchase and sale agreements with Linn Energy Holdings, LLC, Linn Operating, Inc., Mid-Continent I, LLC, Mid-Continent II, LLC, and Linn Exploration Midcontinent, LLC to acquire ownership interests in oil and gas properties located in the Verden area in Caddo, Grady and Comanche Counties, Oklahoma, for a total purchase price of $185 million, subject to customary purchase price adjustments. The first purchase and sale agreement had an effective date of July 1, 2008, and closed on August 15, 2008 and represented all but one of the acquired properties. The second purchase and sale agreement pertained to the remaining property and had an effective date of July 1, 2008 and closed on August 7, 2008. The second purchase and sale agreement enabled Laredo to take over drilling operations on this particular well on an earlier date. The properties (the "Assets") acquired include interests in the Verden field and other productive fields and were comprised of producing wells and units with approximately 38,000 net undeveloped acres. The Company began operating the Assets in August 2008.

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Laredo Petroleum

Notes to the combined financial statements (Continued)

December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

C—Acquisitions (Continued)

        On August 1, 2008, Laredo entered into an agreement with a counterparty to acquire 87.5% ownership interest in oil and gas leases and mineral leases in Glasscock County, Texas, for $1.6 million, subject to certain adjustments. The interest obtained relates to approximately 4,000 net mineral acres. Laredo agreed to jointly explore and operate the oil and gas leases with the counterparty.

        Effective September 1, 2008, Laredo entered into an agreement with a counterparty to acquire additional ownership interest in certain oil and gas property leases in the Verden area in Caddo, Grady and Comanche Counties, Oklahoma, for a purchase price of $2.3 million, subject to certain adjustments. The sale closed on November 3, 2008.

        Effective December 1, 2008, Laredo entered into a purchase and sale agreement with a counterparty to acquire ownership interests in oil and gas properties located in Roger Mills County, Oklahoma, for a purchase price of $1.2 million, subject to certain adjustments.

D—Debt

Laredo

1.    Credit facility

        At December 31, 2010, Laredo had a $500.0 million revolving Senior Secured Credit Facility under its Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the "Laredo Senior Secured Credit Facility"), dated July 7, 2010, between Laredo and certain financial institutions. As of December 31, 2010, the borrowing base under this facility was $220.0 million with an outstanding balance of $177.5 million. As of December 31, 2009, the borrowing base under this facility was $205.0 million with an outstanding balance of $202.5 million. The borrowing base is subject to a semi-annual redetermination based on the financial institutions' evaluation of Laredo's oil and gas reserves. The Laredo Senior Secured Credit Facility was available to Laredo until July 2014, at which time the outstanding balance will be due. As defined in the Laredo Senior Secured Credit Facility, the Adjusted Base Rate Advances and Eurodollar Advances under the facilities bear interest payable quarterly at an Adjusted Base Rate or Adjusted London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") plus an applicable margin based on the ratio of outstanding revolving credit to the conforming borrowing base. At December 31, 2010, the applicable margin rates were 2.25% for the adjusted base rate advances and 3.25% for the Eurodollar advances. The amount of the Laredo Senior Secured Credit Facility outstanding at December 31, 2010 was subject to an average interest rate of approximately 3.56%. Laredo is also required to pay an annual commitment fee on the unused portion of the bank's commitment of 0.5%.

        The Laredo Senior Secured Credit Facility is secured by a first priority lien on Laredo's assets and stock, including oil and gas properties, constituting at least 80% of the present value of Laredo's proved reserves. Further, Laredo is subject to various financial and non-financial ratios at the Laredo LLC level on a consolidated basis, including a current ratio at the end of each calendar quarter, of not less than 1.00 to 1.00. As defined by the Laredo Senior Secured Credit Facility, the current ratio represents the ratio of current assets to current liabilities, inclusive of available capacity and exclusive of current balances associated with derivative positions. Additionally, at the end of each calendar quarter, Laredo LLC must maintain a ratio of its consolidated net income (a) plus each of the following: (i) any provision for (or less any benefit from) income or franchise taxes; (ii) consolidated net interest expense; (iii) depreciation, depletion and amortization expense; (iv) exploration expenses;

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Laredo Petroleum

Notes to the combined financial statements (Continued)

December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

D—Debt (Continued)


and (v) other noncash charges, and (b) minus all non-cash income ("EBITDAX"), as defined in the Laredo Senior Secured Credit Facility, to the sum of net interest expense plus letter of credit fees of not less than 2.50 to 1.00, in each case for the four quarters then ending. Laredo LLC is also required to maintain at the end of each quarter, a total debt to consolidated EBITDAX ratio of not more than 4.00 to 1.00, in each case for the four quarters then ending, and a total estimated future revenues of proved reserves discounted by 10% ("PV-10") ratio as defined in the agreement, to total debt of not less than 1.50 to 1.00. At September 30, 2009, Laredo was in violation of its current ratio covenant. This violation was waived in an amendment to the Laredo Senior Secured Credit Facility dated November 5, 2009. The Laredo Credit Facility contains both financial and non-financial covenants and Laredo was in compliance with these covenants at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009.

        Additionally, the Laredo Senior Secured Credit Facility provides for the issuance of letters of credit, limited to the total capacity. At December 31, 2010, Laredo had one letter of credit outstanding totaling $0.03 million under the Laredo Senior Secured Credit Facility.

        Subsequent to December 31, 2010, Laredo re-paid the Laredo Senior Secured Credit Facility in full using a portion of the proceeds from the issuance of its 2019 Notes. See Note O for additional discussion of the 2019 Notes and the subsequent amendments to the issuance of the Laredo Senior Secured Credit Facility.

2.    Term loan

        In addition to its Laredo Senior Secured Credit Facility, Laredo added a term loan under its Second Lien Term Loan Agreement (the "Term Loan"), dated July 7, 2010, between Laredo and certain financial institutions. At December 31, 2010, $100.0 million was outstanding under the Term Loan. Laredo used these funds to pay down its Laredo Senior Secured Credit Facility in July 2010. The Term Loan was due January 7, 2015, and at Laredo's election, was subject to a rate per annum equal to either (x) an Adjusted Base Rate plus a margin of 6.75% or (y) the sum of (i) the greater of LIBOR or 1.5% plus (ii) 7.75%. Laredo elected LIBOR pricing, and as such, the outstanding amount under the Term Loan was subject to an annual interest rate of 9.25% at December 31, 2010. Further, Laredo was subject to various financial and non-financial ratios at the Laredo LLC level on a consolidated basis, including a current ratio at the end of each calendar quarter, of not less than 0.85 to 1.00. As defined by the Laredo Senior Secured Credit Facility, the current ratio represented the ratio of current assets to current liabilities, inclusive of available capacity and exclusive of current balances associated with derivative positions. Additionally, at the end of each calendar quarter, Laredo LLC was required to maintain a ratio of its EBITDAX, as defined in the Term Loan, to the sum of net interest expense plus letter of credit fees of not less than 2.125 to 1.00, in each case for the four quarters then ending. Laredo LLC was also required to maintain at the end of each quarter, a ratio of total debt to consolidated EBITDAX of not more than 4.50 to 1.00, in each case for the four quarters then ending, and a total proved PV-10 ratio, as defined by the Term Loan, to total debt of not less than 1.50 to 1.00.

        Subsequent to December 31, 2010, Laredo re-paid in full its $100 million outstanding balance under the Term Loan, using a portion of the proceeds from the issuance of its 2019 Notes and retired the loan. See Note O for additional discussion of 2019 Notes and the subsequent amendments to the Laredo Senior Secured Credit Facility.

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Laredo Petroleum

Notes to the combined financial statements (Continued)

December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

D—Debt (Continued)

3.    Fair value of debt

        At December 31, 2010 and 2009, the estimated fair value of Laredo's outstanding debt balance was approximately $278.7 million and $190.8 million, respectively. The fair values were estimated utilizing pricing models for similar instruments.

Broad Oak

1.    Credit facility

        At December 31, 2010, Broad Oak had a $600.0 million revolving credit facility under its Sixth Amendment to the Credit Agreement (the "Broad Oak Credit Facility"), dated April 11, 2008, between Broad Oak and certain financial institutions. As of December 31, 2010, the borrowing base under this facility was $250.0 million with an outstanding balance of $214.1 million. As of December 31, 2009, the borrowing base under this facility was $60.0 million and $44.6 million was outstanding. The borrowing base was subject to a semi-annual redetermination based on the financial institutions' evaluation of Broad Oak's oil and gas reserves. The Broad Oak Credit Facility was available to Broad Oak until April 2013, at which time the outstanding balance would have been due. As defined in the Broad Oak Credit Facility, the Adjusted Base Rate Advances and Eurodollar Advances under the facilities bore interest payable quarterly at an Adjusted Base Rate or Adjusted LIBOR plus an applicable margin based on the ratio of outstanding revolving credit to the conforming borrowing base. At December 31, 2010, the applicable margin rates were 2.125% for the Adjusted Base Rate advances and 3.0% for the Eurodollar advances. The amount of the Broad Oak Credit Facility outstanding at December 31, 2010 was subject to an average annual interest rate of approximately 4.265%. Broad Oak was also required to pay a quarterly commitment fee of 0.5% on the unused portion of the bank's commitment.

        The Broad Oak Credit Facility was secured by a first priority lien on Broad Oak's oil and gas properties. Further, Broad Oak was subject to various financial and non-financial ratios, including a current ratio at the end of each calendar quarter, of not less than 1.00 to 1.00. As defined by the Broad Oak Credit Facility, the current ratio represents the ratio of current assets to current liabilities, inclusive of available capacity and exclusive of current balances associated with non-cash derivative positions. Additionally, at the end of each calendar quarter, Broad Oak must have maintained a ratio of debt to "Consolidated EBITDAX" ratio of not more than 3.50 to 1.00, based on the quarter then ended annualized. Consolidated EBITDAX was defined as consolidated net income plus the sum of (i) income or franchise taxes; (ii) consolidated net interest expense; (iii) depreciation, depletion and amortization expense; (iv) any non-cash losses or charges on any derivative positions; (v) other noncash charges; and (vi) costs associated with oil and gas capital expenditures that are expensed rather than capitalized, less, to the extent included in the calculation of Consolidated Net Income (as defined in the Broad Oak Credit Facility), the sum of (A) the income of any person (other than wholly-owned subsidiaries of such person) unless such income is received by such person in a cash distribution; (B) gains or losses from sales or other dispositions of assets (other than hydrocarbons produced in the normal course of business); (C) any non-cash gains on any hedge agreement resulting from the requirements of Accounting Standards Codification 815 for that period; (D) extraordinary or non-recurring gains, but not net of extraordinary or non-recurring "cash" losses; and (E) costs and expenses associated with, and attributable to, oil and gas capital expenditures that are expensed rather than capitalized. Broad Oak was in compliance with financial and non-financial covenants during each of the periods in the years ended December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009.

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Laredo Petroleum

Notes to the combined financial statements (Continued)

December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

D—Debt (Continued)

        Additionally, the Broad Oak Credit Facility provided for the issuance of letters of credit, limited to the total capacity. At December 31, 2010, Broad Oak had no letters of credit outstanding.

        Subsequent to December 31, 2010, the borrowing base under the Broad Oak Credit Facility was increased to $375 million.

        On July 1, 2011, Laredo paid the Broad Oak Credit Facility in full and the facility was terminated. The lenders under the Laredo Senior Secured Credit Facility now have a first priority lien on Broad Oak's oil and gas properties.

2.    Fair value of debt

        The carrying value of the Broad Oak Credit Facility approximates fair value as it is subject to short-term floating interest rates that represent the rates available to Broad Oak for those periods.

E—Owners' equity

Laredo

        The Laredo LLC First Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement (the "LLC Agreement") provides for the issuance of two series of Series A units. First, it authorizes a total of 60 million Series A-1 Units of Laredo LLC for total consideration of $300 million, consisting of approximately $294.9 million from Warburg Pincus IX and $5.1 million from certain members of Laredo LLC's management team and Board of Managers. This portion was fully funded as of December 31, 2009. Secondly, it provides for a total of 48 million Series A-2 Units of Laredo LLC for total consideration of $300 million, initially consisting of approximately $288.5 million from Warburg Pincus X O&G, L.P. ("Warburg Pincus X"), $9.2 million from Warburg Pincus X Partners, L.P. ("Warburg Pincus X Partners") and $2.3 million from certain members of Laredo LLC's management team and Board of Managers. The Series A Units have a liquidation preference amount equal to the total capital then invested, plus a 7% cumulative return, compounded quarterly. The Series A Units 7% cumulative return has accumulated to approximately $88.5 million and $47.1 million as of December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. The cumulative return has not been declared by the Board of Managers and as such, is not reflected in the combined financial statements.

        As of December 31, 2010, approximately $549.2 million had been contributed to Laredo LLC, net of Series A Unit repurchases by Laredo, of which approximately $294.9 million was from Warburg Pincus IX, $238.4 million was from Warburg Pincus X, $7.6 million was from Warburg Pincus X Partners, and $8.3 million from certain members of Laredo LLC's management and Board of Managers. A capital call of $50 million was approved by Laredo LLC's Board of Managers on December 21, 2009, which was paid on January 22, 2010. This amount is shown as "Capital contributions receivable" in the Combined Balance Sheet at December 31, 2009.

        Laredo LLC is authorized to issue up to 16,923,077 Series B Units, up to 8,791,209 Series C Units, up to 13,538,462 Series D Units and up to 7,032,967 Series E Units under restricted unit agreements with management (collectively, the "Restricted Units"). The Series B Units are divided into two unit series, B-1 Units and B-2 Units. The Series B-1 Units have an initial threshold value of $0 and the Series B-2 Units have an initial threshold value of $1.25. The Series C Units have an initial threshold value of $10.00, the Series D Units have an initial threshold value of $1.25, and the Series E Units have an initial threshold value of $13.75.

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Laredo Petroleum

Notes to the combined financial statements (Continued)

December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

E—Owners' equity (Continued)

        The table below summarizes the outstanding restricted units by series as of December 31:

(in thousands)
  Series B
Units
  Series C
Units
  Series D
Units
  Series E
Units
  Total
Units
 

BALANCE, December 31, 2007

    4,021     3,215             7,236  
 

Issuance of restricted units

    4,753     4,565             9,318  
 

Cancellation of restricted units

      (17 )                 (17 )
                       

BALANCE, December 31, 2008

    8,757     7,780             16,537  
 

Issuance of restricted units

    54         4,644     5,996     10,694  
 

Cancellation of restricted units

    (113 )   (100 )   (49 )   (10 )   (272 )
                       

BALANCE, December 31, 2009

    8,698     7,680     4,595     5,986     26,959  
 

Issuance of restricted units

            5,530     756     6,286  
 

Cancellation of restricted units

    (700 )   (420 )   (513 )   (180 )   (1,813 )
                       

BALANCE, December 31, 2010

    7,998     7,260     9,612     6,562     31,432  
                       

        Any distributions made by Laredo LLC are allocated first to Series A-1 Units and A-2 Units until the holders of Series A-1 and A-2 Units have received their invested capital and aforementioned preference amount. Second, until the "$1.25 Threshold" is met, all distributions are made to Series A-1 and Series B-1 Units in proportion to their unit ratios. Third, until the C Unit "$10.00 Threshold" has been met, the distributions are made to the holders of Series A-1 Units and A-2 Units, Series B-1 and B-2 Units and Series D Units in proportion to their unit ratios. Fourth, until the Series E Unit "$13.75 Threshold" has been met, the distributions are made to the holders of the Series A-1 and A-2 Units, Series B-1 and B-2 Units, Series C Units and Series D Units in proportion to their unit ratios. Finally, after the Series E Unit "$13.75 Threshold" has been met, the distributions will be made to the holders of the Series A-1 and A-2 Units, Series B-1 and B-2 Units, Series C Units, Series D Units, and Series E Units in proportion to their unit ratios. Each threshold represents the point when holders of Series A-1 Units have received the preference amount plus $1.25, $10.00, and $13.75 per unit, respectively.

        If future Series B-1, B-2, C, D, or E Units are issued with higher threshold values than prior units in that series, units having a higher threshold value will not share in distributions within the series until units having the lower threshold value have received distributions in an amount necessary to bring them into balance. Until the time that Series A-1 and A-2 unit investors have fully funded their capital commitments, distributions to holders of Series B-1, B-2, C, D and E Units are subject to being held back until the total of the amounts held back equals the total remaining commitment of Series A-1 and A-2 investors. The holdback amount is subject to distribution to holders of Series A-1 and A-2 Units if future returns are not sufficient to fund the Series A-1 and A-2 preference amounts. Series B-1, B-2, C, D and E Units are also subject to a claw-back (not to exceed distributions received, less taxes) if distributions to such units exceed their entitlement.

        In connection with any qualified public offering, each outstanding Series A-1 and A-2 Units and Series B-1, B-2, C, D, or E Units will be converted into or exchanged (at values determined in the LLC Agreement) for shares of common stock of Laredo Holdings. The converted or exchanged units will receive value equal to the same proportion of the aggregate pre-IPO value such that each

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Laredo Petroleum

Notes to the combined financial statements (Continued)

December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

E—Owners' equity (Continued)


holder of units will receive IPO securities having a value based on the provisions of the LLC Agreement.

        Management may request the funding of capital calls under the amended investors' commitment for development activities, working capital and acquisitions, subject to the approval of the Board of Managers. All capital calls are subject to the approval of the Warburg Pincus Partnerships owning Laredo LLC units and must be for an amount not less than $5 million.

        The approval of the Warburg Pincus Partnerships owning Laredo LLC units is required with respect to certain events, including material contracts and commitments, certain acquisitions and dispositions, certain expenditures and incurrence of debt, and amendments to Laredo's structure.

        During 2010, Laredo LLC purchased and canceled two employee-investors' Series A-1 Units and Series A-2 Units.

        On September 26, 2008, the Company received a note receivable in response to a capital call from an investor in the amount of $180,000. The note bore interest at a rate that corresponds with the Laredo Senior Secured Credit Facility effective interest rate with a maximum rate of 6%. At December 31, 2008, the Company recorded this note as a reduction in owners' equity. Effective May 15, 2009, the Company entered into a severance agreement with the aforementioned investor. In accordance with the severance agreement, the Company purchased and canceled all of the investor's Series A-1 Units and Series A-2 Units and netted the note receivable plus accrued interest against the purchase price of the investor's units; as a result, the note receivable was paid in full at the execution of the severance agreement.

        As part of an employment agreement with one of the Company's officers, the Company agreed to make an interest free loan to the officer of up to $200,000 only to be used to purchase Series A Units. Initially, one half of the loan was forgiven upon the effective date of the officer's employment and the remaining one half was to be forgiven at the earlier of (a) the first anniversary of the date of the officer's employment or (b) a change in control of the ownership of Laredo LLC. On January 10, 2008, March 14, 2008 and May 15, 2008 the officer borrowed $40,000, $40,000, and $20,000, respectively, from the Company for the purchase of 20,000 Series A Units. This amount was forgiven and the Company recorded a total of $100,000 of non-cash compensation expense in 2008.

Broad Oak

        The purchase terms, conditions and stockholders' rights of Broad Oak's Series A Preferred Stock were outlined in the Broad Oak Series A Preferred Stock Agreement, Stockholders' Agreement and Certificate of Designations dated May 16, 2006. The Series A Preferred Stock accrued dividends daily from the date of issue at a rate of 7% per annum through its termination on July 1, 2011. Dividends compound on a quarterly basis in arrears on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year. Dividends in arrears accumulated to approximately $32.9 million and $20.1 million as of December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. Since inception, dividends were not declared by the Board of Directors and as such, no liability was reflected in the combined financial statements.

        The purchase price of the Series A Preferred Stock was $100 per share, subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events. It ranked senior in rights of preference to the common stock or

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Laredo Petroleum

Notes to the combined financial statements (Continued)

December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

E—Owners' equity (Continued)


any other equity securities of Broad Oak and will receive all dividends paid by Broad Oak until the purchase price plus accrued dividends had been paid.

        See Note O for additional discussion regarding the effect of the Broad Oak Transaction on Broad Oak's Series A Preferred Stock and Common Stock.

F—Equity-based compensation

Laredo

        The Company recognizes the fair value of equity-based payments to employees and directors, including awards in the form of Restricted Units of Laredo LLC as a charge against earnings. The Company recognizes equity-based payment expense over the requisite service period. Laredo LLC's equity-based payment awards are accounted for as equity instruments. Equity-based compensation is included in "General and administrative expense" in the Combined Statements of Operations and amounted to $1.2 million, $1.4 million and $1.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

        The fair value of unit-based compensation for restrictive equity was estimated based on using the Company's estimated market value. The Company calculates the estimated market value at the end of each calendar quarter and then applies the calculated value to each Series B-1, B-2, C, D and E Units granted during the current calendar quarter. The Company's determination of the fair value for Series B-1, B-2, C, D and E Units is calculated on the value of the Company's proved reserves using published market prices held flat after year five and then applying the following present value factors to the cash flows for proved reserves: 8% to proved developed properties, 15% to proved developed nonproducing properties and 20% to proved undeveloped properties. The aggregate calculated values are then adjusted by the net value of the Company's other non-oil and gas assets and liabilities to arrive at a net asset value. The net asset value is then adjusted for equity capital invested and the corresponding 7% preference amount to arrive at our net equity value. The net value is then allocated to each class of outstanding units, based upon unit sharing ratios and unit threshold values to arrive at the fair market value for each respective award. Although the fair value of the unit grants is determined in accordance with GAAP, that value may not be indicative of the fair value observed in a market transaction between a willing buyer and a willing seller.

        Laredo LLC is authorized to issue equity incentive awards in the form of Restricted Units. Unvested Restricted Units may not be sold, transferred or assigned. The fair value of the Restricted Units is measured based upon the estimated market price of the underlying member units as of the date of grant. The Restricted Units are subject to the following vesting terms: 20% at the grant date and 20% annually thereafter. The fair value of the Restricted Units in excess of the amounts paid by the employee, which is zero, is amortized to expense over its applicable requisite service period using the straight-line method. In the event of a termination of employment for cause, all Restricted Units, including unvested Restricted Units and vested Restricted Units, and all rights arising from such Restricted Units and from being a holder thereof, are forfeited. In the event of a termination of employment without cause or a resignation, all unvested Restricted Units and all rights arising from such Restricted Units and from being a holder thereof, are forfeited. For a period of one year from the date of termination of employment, in the event of a termination of employment for cause, the Company may also elect to redeem the Series A-1 Units and Series A-2 Units at a price per unit equal

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Table of Contents


Laredo Petroleum

Notes to the combined financial statements (Continued)

December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

F—Equity-based compensation (Continued)


to the lesser of the fair market value or original purchase price. In the event of a termination without cause or a resignation, the Company may elect to redeem the Series A-1 Units and Series A-2 Units and vested Restricted Units at a price equal to the fair market value.

        The table below summarizes activity relating to the unvested Restricted Units:

(in thousands, except grant date fair values)
  Series B-1
restricted
units
  Weighted
average
grant date
fair value
  Series B-2
restricted
units
  Weighted
average
grant date
fair value
  Series C
restricted
units
  Weighted
average
grant date
fair value
  Series D
restricted
units
  Weighted
average
grant date
fair value
  Series E
restricted
units
  Weighted
average
grant date
fair value
 

Outstanding at December 31, 2007

    3,212   $       $     2,572   $       $       $  
 

Granted

    2,284   $ 0.78     2,469   $ 2.16     4,565   $       $       $  
 

Vested

    (1,258 ) $ 0.28     (494 ) $ 2.16     (1,556 ) $       $       $  
 

Forfeited

    (17 ) $       $       $       $       $  
                                                     

Outstanding at December 31, 2008

    4,221   $ 0.34     1,975   $ 2.16     5,581   $       $       $  
 

Granted

      $     54   $       $     4,644   $     5,996   $  
 

Vested

    (1,242 ) $ 0.26     (502 ) $ 2.12     (1,536 ) $     (930 ) $     (1,199 ) $  
 

Forfeited

    (80 ) $ 1.75     (14 ) $ 2.23     (80 ) $     (43 ) $     (8 ) $  
                                                     

Outstanding at December 31, 2009

    2,899   $ 0.33     1,513   $ 2.10     3,965   $     3,671   $     4,789   $  
 

Granted

      $       $       $     5,530   $     756   $  
 

Vested

    (1,055 ) $ 0.27     (483 ) $ 2.12     (1,416 ) $     (1,983 ) $     (1,349 ) $  
 

Forfeited

    (425 ) $ 0.64     (88 ) $ 2.17     (420 ) $     (473 ) $     (180 ) $  
                                                     

Outstanding at December 31, 2010

    1,419   $ 0.36     942   $ 2.10     2,129   $     6,745   $     4,016   $  
                                                     

        For the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, unrecognized equity-based compensation expense related to unvested Restricted Units was $2.1 million, $3.7 million and $5.3 million. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.8 years.

        A summary of weighted average grant-date fair value and intrinsic value of vested Restricted Units are as follows:

 
  2010   2009   2008  

B-1 Units

                   

Weighted average grant date fair value

  $ 0.27   $ 0.26   $ 0.28  

Total intrinsic value of units vested (in thousands)

  $ 431   $ 15   $ 2,053  

B-2 Units

                   

Weighted average grant date fair value

  $ 2.12   $ 2.12   $ 2.16  

Total intrinsic value of units vested (in thousands)

  $   $   $ 1,068  

C Units

                   

Weighted average grant date fair value

  $   $   $  

Total intrinsic value of units vested (in thousands)

  $   $   $  

D Units

                   

Weighted average grant date fair value

  $   $   $  

Total intrinsic value of units vested (in thousands)

  $   $   $  

E Units

                   

Weighted average grant date fair value

  $   $   $  

Total intrinsic value of units vested (in thousands)

  $   $   $  

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Laredo Petroleum

Notes to the combined financial statements (Continued)

December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

G—Income taxes

        Income taxes in these financial statements are generally presented on an "as combined" basis. However, in light of the historic ownership structure of the combined entities, U.S. tax laws do not allow tax losses of one entity to offset income and losses of another entity until after the consummation of the Broad Oak Transaction on July 1, 2011. As such, the financial accounting for the income tax consequences of each combined company is calculated separately in these combined financial statements.

        Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes.

        Laredo LLC's subsidiaries and Broad Oak are subject to corporate income taxes. In addition, limited liability companies are subject to the Texas margin tax. Income tax benefit for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 consisted of the following:

(in thousands)
  2010   2009   2008  

Current taxes

                   
 

Federal

  $   $   $  
 

State

            (12 )

Deferred taxes

                   
 

Federal

    27,345     69,046     51,752  
 

State

    (1,533 )   4,960     1,977  
               

  $ 25,812   $ 74,006   $ 53,717  
               

        Income tax benefit differed from amounts computed by applying the federal income tax rate of 34% to pre-tax loss from operations as a result of the following:

(in thousands)
  2010   2009   2008  

Income tax (expense) benefit computed by applying the statutory rate

  $ (20,548 ) $ 87,891   $ 83,560  

State income tax, net of federal tax benefit and increase in valuation allowance

    (1,118 )   3,110     406  

Income from non-taxable entity

    48     61     152  

Non-deductible compensation

    (418 )   (482 )   (634 )

Valuation allowance

    47,888     (16,476 )   (29,718 )

Other items

    (40 )   (98 )   (49 )
               
 

Income tax benefit

  $ 25,812   $ 74,006   $ 53,717  
               

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Table of Contents


Laredo Petroleum

Notes to the combined financial statements (Continued)

December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

G—Income taxes (Continued)

        Significant components of the Combined Company's deferred tax assets as of December 31 are as follows:

(in thousands)
  2010   2009  

Derivative financial instruments

  $ 10,862   $ 6,616  

Oil and gas properties and equipment

    (59,854 )   (5,494 )

Other

    (2,174 )   (3,063 )

Net operating loss carry-forward

    207,427     180,082  
           

    156,261     178,141  

Valuation allowance

    (1,309 )   (49,001 )
           
 

Net deferred tax asset

  $ 154,952   $ 129,140  
           

        Net deferred tax assets and liabilities were classified in the Combined Balance Sheets as follows:

(in thousands)
  2010   2009  

Deferred tax asset

  $ 154,952   $ 129,140  

Deferred tax liability

         
           
 

Net deferred tax assets

  $ 154,952   $ 129,140  
           

        The Company had federal net operating loss carry-forwards totaling approximately $281.8 million and state net operating loss carry-forwards totaling approximately $124.0 million at December 31, 2010. These carry-forwards begin expiring in 2026. The Company maintains a valuation allowance to reduce certain deferred tax assets to amounts that are more likely than not to be realized. At December 31, 2010, a $0.7 million valuation allowance has been recorded against the state of Texas deferred tax asset and a $0.02 million valuation allowance has been recorded against the Company's charitable contribution carry-forward. In determining the carrying value of a deferred tax asset, GAAP provides for the weighting of evidence in evaluating whether and how much of a deferred tax asset may be recoverable. In order to assess the realization of the Company's net deferred tax asset, all available negative and positive evidence was considered. While the Company has incurred a cumulative loss over the three year period ended December 31, 2010, after evaluating all available evidence including (i) historical operating results, (ii) historical pricing, (iii) current operating income, (iv) the facts and circumstances surrounding the non-cash full cost ceiling impairments in 2009 and 2008 that resulted in the cumulative losses, (v) the existence of significant proved oil and gas reserves and the associated future cash flows, as prepared by an independent third party petroleum consultant, (vi) the ability to recover the net operating loss carry-forward deferred tax assets in future years, (vii) the ability to use tax planning strategies to prevent an operating loss carry-forward from expiring unused, and (viii) the Company's current price protection utilizing oil and natural gas hedges in place through December 31, 2013, after considering the weight of the positive and negative evidence discussed above, the Company concluded it is more-likely-than-not that the net operating loss deferred tax asset will be fully realized.

        Broad Oak had federal net operating loss carry-forwards totaling approximately $312.4 million and state net operating loss carry-forwards totaling approximately $7.9 million at December 31, 2010. These carry-forwards begin expiring in 2026. Broad Oak maintains a valuation allowance to reduce certain deferred tax assets to amounts that are more likely than not to be realized. At December 31, 2010, a

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Laredo Petroleum

Notes to the combined financial statements (Continued)

December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

G—Income taxes (Continued)


$0.6 million valuation allowance has been recorded against the state of Louisiana deferred tax asset and a $0.01 million valuation allowance has been recorded against Broad Oak's charitable contribution carry-forward. During 2009 and, 2008, Broad Oak determined that it was more likely than not that the net deferred tax asset would not be realized in the amount of $48.6 million and $32.4 million, respectively.

        During 2010, Broad Oak's management determined, based on historic cumulative operating income for the past three years and projected forecasts of future profitability, that it is more likely than not that Broad Oak will utilize the remaining federal net operating loss carry-forwards and net federal deferred assets. Such consideration included (i) historical operating results, (ii) historical pricing, (iii) current operating income, (iv) the facts and circumstances surrounding the non-cash full cost ceiling impairments recognized in 2009 and 2008 that resulted in the cumulative losses, (v) the existence of significant proved oil and gas reserves and the associated future cash flows, as prepared by an independent third party petroleum consultant, (vi) the ability to recover the net operating loss carry-forward deferred tax assets in future years, (vii) the ability to use tax planning strategies to prevent an operating loss carry-forward from expiring unused, and (viii) Broad Oak's current price protection utilizing oil and natural gas hedges in place through December 31, 2013. Accordingly, the valuation allowance of approximately $48.6 million that was recorded as of December 31, 2009 was released and a $28.0 million deferred income tax benefit was recognized during 2010.

        The Combined Company's income tax returns for the years 2007 through 2009 remain open and subject to examination by federal tax authorities and/or the tax authorities in Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana which are the jurisdictions where the Combined Company has or had operations. Additionally, the statute of limitations for examination of federal net operating loss carryovers typically does not begin to run until the year the attribute is utilized in a tax return. In evaluating its current tax positions in order to identify any material uncertain tax positions, the Combined Company developed a policy in identifying uncertain tax positions that considers support for each tax position, industry standards, tax return disclosures and schedules, and the significance of each position. The Combined Company had no material adjustments to its unrecognized tax benefits during the year ended December 31, 2010.

H—Derivative financial instruments

1.    Commodity derivatives

        The Combined Company engages in derivative transactions such as collars, swaps, puts and basis swaps to hedge price risks due to unfavorable changes in oil and gas prices related to its oil and gas production. As of December 31, 2010, the Combined Company had 64 open derivative contracts with financial institutions, none of which were designated as hedges, which extend from January 2011 to December 2013. The contracts are recorded at fair value on the balance sheet and any realized and unrealized gains and losses are recognized in current year earnings.

        Each collar transaction has an established price floor and ceiling. When the settlement price is below the price floor established by these collars, the Combined Company receives an amount from its counterparty equal to the difference between the settlement price and the price floor multiplied by the hedged contract volume. When the settlement price is above the price ceiling established by these

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Table of Contents


Laredo Petroleum

Notes to the combined financial statements (Continued)

December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

H—Derivative financial instruments (Continued)


collars, the Combined Company pays its counterparty an amount equal to the difference between the settlement price and the price ceiling multiplied by the hedged contract volume.

        Each swap or put transaction has an established fixed price. When the settlement price is above the fixed price, the Combined Company pays its counterparty an amount equal to the difference between the settlement price and the fixed price multiplied by the hedged contract volume. When the settlement price is below the fixed price, the counterparty pays the Combined Company an amount equal to the difference between the settlement price and the fixed price multiplied by the hedged contract volume.

        Each basis swap transaction has an established fixed differential between the NYMEX gas futures and West Texas WAHA ("WAHA") index gas price. When the NYMEX futures settlement price less the fixed WAHA differential is greater than the actual WAHA price, the difference multiplied by the hedged contract volume is paid to the Combined Company by the counterparty. When the difference between the NYMEX futures settlement price less the fixed WAHA differential is less than the actual WAHA price, the Combined Company pays the counterparty an amount equal to the difference multiplied by the hedged contract volume.

        During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Combined Company entered into additional commodity contracts to hedge a portion of its estimated future production. The following table summarizes information about these additional commodity derivative contracts. When aggregating multiple contracts, the weighted average contract price is disclosed.

 
  Aggregate
volumes
  Index price   Contract period

Oil (volumes in Bbls):

             
 

Put

    276,000   $65.00   January 2011 - December 2011
 

Swap

    540,000   $84.27   January 2011 - December 2011
 

Price collar

    408,000   $70.15 - $104.63   January 2011 - December 2011
 

Put

    624,000   $65.00   January 2012 - December 2012
 

Swap

    360,000   $87.03   January 2012 - December 2012
 

Price collar

    378,000   $71.90 - $101.51   January 2012 - December 2012
 

Put

    1,080,000   $65.00   January 2013 - December 2013
 

Swap

    240,000   $90.00   January 2013 - December 2013
 

Price collar

    120,000   $65.00 - $117.00   January 2013 - December 2013

Natural Gas (volumes in MMBtu):

             
 

Put

    360,000   $3.50   January 2011 - December 2011
 

Swap

    480,000   $5.85   January 2011 - December 2011
 

Price collar

    4,680,000   $3.83 - $5.15   January 2011 - December 2011
 

Basis swaps

    4,320,000   $0.29   January 2011 - December 2011
 

Swap

    240,000   $5.79   January 2012 - December 2012
 

Price collar

    7,800,000   $4.12 - $5.79   January 2012 - December 2012
 

Basis swaps

    2,880,000   $0.31   January 2012 - December 2012
 

Put

    6,600,000   $4.00   January 2013 - December 2013
 

Price collar

    6,600,000   $4.00 - $7.05   January 2013 - December 2013
 

Basis swaps

    1,200,000   $0.33   January 2013 - December 2013

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Table of Contents


Laredo Petroleum

Notes to the combined financial statements (Continued)

December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

H—Derivative financial instruments (Continued)

        The following table summarizes open positions as of December 31, 2010, and represents, as of such date, derivatives in place through December 31, 2013, on annual production volumes:

 
  Year
2011
  Year
2012
  Year
2013
 

Oil Positions:

                   

Puts:

                   
 

Hedged volume (Bbls)

    348,000     672,000     1,080,000  
 

Weighted average price ($/Bbl)

  $ 62.52   $ 65.79   $ 65.00  

Swaps:

                   
 

Hedged volume (Bbls)

    640,416     372,000     240,000  
 

Weighted average price ($/Bbl)

  $ 81.38   $ 86.95   $ 90.00  

Collars:

                   
 

Hedged volume (Bbls)

    408,000     378,000     120,000  
 

Weighted average floor price ($/Bbl)

  $ 70.15   $ 71.90   $ 65.00  
 

Weighted average ceiling price ($/Bbl)

  $ 104.64   $ 101.51   $ 117.00  

Natural Gas Positions:

                   

Puts:

                   
 

Hedged volume (MMBtu)

    360,000     4,320,000     6,600,000  
 

Weighted average price ($/MMBtu)

  $ 3.50   $ 5.38   $ 4.00  

Swaps:

                   
 

Hedged volume (MMBtu)

    977,088     1,680,000      
 

Weighted average price ($/MMBtu)

  $ 6.22   $ 6.14   $  

Collars:

                   
 

Hedged volume (MMBtu)

    11,040,000     7,800,000     6,600,000  
 

Weighted average floor price ($/MMBtu)

  $ 4.82   $ 4.12   $ 4.00  
 

Weighted average ceiling price ($/MMBtu)

  $ 7.97   $ 5.79   $ 7.05  

Basis swaps:

                   
 

Hedged volume (MMBtu)

    4,440,000     2,880,000     1,200,000  
 

Weighted average price ($/MMBtu)

  $ 0.29   $ 0.31   $ 0.33  

        The natural gas derivatives are settled based on NYMEX gas futures, the Northern Natural Gas Co. Demarcation price or the Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line spot price of natural gas for the calculation period. The oil derivatives are settled based on the month's average daily NYMEX price of West Texas Intermediate Light Sweet Crude Oil. Each basis swap transaction is settled based on the differential between the NYMEX gas futures and WAHA index gas price.

2.    Interest rate derivatives

        The Combined Company is exposed to market risk for changes in interest rates related to its credit facilities. Interest rate swap agreements are used to manage a portion of the exposure related to changing interest rates by converting floating-rate debt to fixed-rate debt. If LIBOR is lower than the fixed rate in the contract, the Combined Company is required to pay the counterparties the difference, and conversely, the counterparties are required to pay the Combined Company if LIBOR is higher than the fixed rate in the contract. For the interest rate cap below, the agreement cost was $0.2 million.

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Table of Contents


Laredo Petroleum

Notes to the combined financial statements (Continued)

December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

H—Derivative financial instruments (Continued)


The Combined Company did not designate the interest rate derivatives as cash flow hedges; therefore, the changes in fair value of these instruments are recorded in current earnings.

        The following presents the settlement terms of the interest rate derivatives at December 31, 2010:

(in thousands except rate data)
  Year
2011
  Year
2012
  Year
2013
 

Notional amount

  $ 40,000   $      

Fixed rate

    3.06 %        

Notional amount

 
$

110,000
 
$

110,000
   
 

Fixed rate

    3.41 %   3.41 %    

Notional amount

 
$

30,000
 
$

30,000
   
 

Fixed rate

    1.60 %   1.60 %    

Notional amount

 
$

20,000
 
$

20,000
   
 

Fixed rate

    1.35 %   1.35 %    

Notional amount

 
$

50,000
 
$

50,000
 
$

50,000
 

Fixed rate

    1.11 %   1.11 %   1.11 %

Notional amount

 
$

50,000
 
$

50,000
 
$

50,000
 

Cap rate

    3.00 %   3.00 %   3.00 %
               

Total

  $ 300,000   $ 260,000   $ 100,000  
               

3.    Balance sheet presentation

        The Combined Company's oil and gas commodity derivatives and interest rate derivatives are presented on a net basis in "Derivative financial instruments" in the Combined Balance Sheets.

        The following summarizes the fair value of derivatives outstanding on a gross basis as of:

 
  December 31,  
(in thousands)
  2010   2009  

Assets:

             
 

Commodity derivatives:

             
   

Oil derivatives

  $ 8,398   $ 2,202  
   

Natural gas derivatives

    22,035     15,135  
 

Interest rate derivatives

    248     39  
           

  $ 30,681   $ 17,376  
           

Liabilities:

             
 

Commodity derivatives:

             
   

Oil derivatives(1)

  $ 23,405   $ 3,990  
   

Natural gas derivatives(2)

    9,271     9,101  
 

Interest rate derivatives

    5,790     5,664  
           

  $ 38,466   $ 18,755  
           

(1)
The oil derivatives fair value is netted with a deferred premium liability of $7.6 million and $0.6 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

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Table of Contents


Laredo Petroleum

Notes to the combined financial statements (Continued)

December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

H—Derivative financial instruments (Continued)

(2)
The natural gas derivatives fair value is netted with a deferred premium liability of $4.9 million and $3.0 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

        By using derivative financial instruments to economically hedge exposures to changes in commodity prices and interest rates, the Combined Company exposes itself to credit risk and market risk. Credit risk is the failure of the counterparty to perform under the terms of the derivative contract. When the fair value of a derivative contract is positive, the counterparty owes the Combined Company, which creates credit risk. The Company's counterparties are participants in its credit facilities (as described in Note D) which is secured by the Company's oil and gas reserves; therefore, the Company is not required to post any collateral. Broad Oak's counterparties are participants in its credit facilities (as described in Note D) which is secured by Broad Oak's oil and gas reserves; therefore, Broad Oak is not required to post any collateral. The Combined Company does not require collateral from the counterparties. The Combined Company minimizes the credit risk in derivative instruments by: (i) limiting its exposure to any single counterparty; (ii) entering into derivative instruments only with counterparties that are also lenders in the Combined Company's credit facilities, and meet the Combined Company's minimum credit quality standard, or have a guarantee from an affiliate that meets the Combined Company's minimum credit quality standard; and (iii) monitoring the creditworthiness of the Combined Company's counterparties on an ongoing basis. In accordance with the Combined Company's standard practice, its commodity and interest rate derivatives are subject to counterparty netting under agreements governing such derivatives and, therefore, the risk of such loss is somewhat mitigated at December 31, 2010.

4.    Gain (loss) on derivatives

        Gains and losses on derivatives are reported on the Combined statements of operations in the respective "Realized and unrealized gain (loss)" amounts. Realized gains (losses), represent amounts related to the settlement of derivative instruments, and for commodity derivatives, are aligned with the underlying production. Unrealized gains (losses) represent the change in fair value of the derivative instruments and are non-cash items.

        The following represents the Combined Company's reported gains and losses on derivative instruments for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008:

 
  Years ended December 31,  
(in thousands)
  2010   2009   2008  

Realized gains (losses):

                   
 

Commodity derivatives

  $ 22,701   $ 52,117   $ 7,399  
 

Interest rate derivatives

    (5,238 )   (3,764 )   (278 )
               

    17,463     48,353     7,121  

Unrealized gains (losses):

                   
 

Commodity derivatives

    (11,511 )   (46,373 )   33,170  
 

Interest rate derivatives

    (137 )   370     (5,996 )
               

    (11,648 )   (46,003 )   27,174  

Total gains (losses):

                   
 

Commodity derivatives

    11,190     5,744     40,569  
 

Interest rate derivatives

    (5,375 )   (3,394 )   (6,274 )
               

  $ 5,815   $ 2,350   $ 34,295  
               

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Table of Contents


Laredo Petroleum

Notes to the combined financial statements (Continued)

December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

I—Fair value measurements

        The Combined Company accounts for its oil and gas commodity and interest rate derivatives at fair value (see Note H). The fair value of derivative financial instruments is determined utilizing pricing models for similar instruments. The models use a variety of techniques to arrive at fair value, including quotes and pricing analysis. Inputs to the pricing models include publicly available prices and forward curves generated from a compilation of data gathered from third parties.

        The Combined Company has categorized its assets and liabilities measured at fair value, based on the priority of inputs to the valuation technique, into a three-level fair value hierarchy. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3).

        Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets are categorized based on the inputs to the valuation techniques as follows:

Level 1—   Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value for which values are based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market that management has the ability to access. Active markets are considered to be those in which transactions for the assets or liabilities occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.

Level 2—

 

Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value for which values are based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or model inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. Substantially all of these inputs are observable in the marketplace throughout the full term of the price risk management instrument, can be derived from observable data or supported by observable levels at which transactions are executed in the marketplace.

Level 3—

 

Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value for which values are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data. These inputs reflect management's own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing the asset or liability.

        When the inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy in a liquid environment, the level within which the fair value measurement is categorized is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Combined Company conducts a review of fair value hierarchy classifications on an annual basis. Changes in the observability of valuation inputs may result in a reclassification for certain financial assets or liabilities.

Fair value measurement on a recurring basis

        The following presents the Combined Company's fair value hierarchy for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2010 and 2009. These items are included in "Derivative financial instruments" on the Combined balance sheets. Significant Level 2 assumptions associated with the calculation of discounted cash flows used in the "mark-to market" analysis include

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Laredo Petroleum

Notes to the combined financial statements (Continued)

December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

I—Fair value measurements (Continued)


the NYMEX natural gas and crude oil prices, appropriate risk adjusted discount rates and other relevant data.

(in thousands)
  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total fair
value
 

As of December 31, 2010:

                         
   

Commodity derivatives

  $   $ (9,774 ) $ 20,026   $ 10,252  
   

Deferred premiums

            (12,495 )   (12,495 )
   

Interest rate derivatives

        (5,542 )       (5,542 )
                   
 

Total

  $   $ (15,316 ) $ 7,531   $ (7,785 )
                   

 

(in thousands)
  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total fair
value
 

As of December 31, 2009:

                         
   

Commodity derivatives

  $   $ (6,840 ) $ 14,610   $ 7,770  
   

Deferred premiums

            (3,524 )   (3,524 )
   

Interest rate derivatives

        (5,625 )       (5,625 )
                   
 

Total

  $   $ (12,465 ) $ 11,086   $ (1,379 )
                   

        A summary of the changes in assets classified as Level 3 measurements for the year ended December 31, 2010 is as follows:

(in thousands)
  Derivative option
contracts
  Deferred
premiums
 

Balance of Level 3 at December 31, 2009

  $ 14,610   $ (3,524 )

Realized and unrealized losses included in earnings

    (1,965 )    

Amortization of deferred premiums

        (116 )

Total purchases and settlements:

             
 

Purchases

    7,381     (8,855 )
 

Settlements

         
           

Balance of Level 3 at December 31, 2010

  $ 20,026   $ (12,495 )
           

Change in unrealized gains attributed to earnings
relating to derivatives still held at December 31, 2010

  $ 2,392   $  
           

Fair value measurement on a nonrecurring basis

        The Combined Company accounts for additions to its asset retirement obligation (see Note B.12) and impairment of long-lived assets (see Note B.19), if any, at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of fair value measurement, it was determined that the impairment of long-lived assets and the additions to the asset retirement obligation are classified as Level 3 based on the use of internally developed cash flow models. No impairments of long-lived assets were recorded in 2010.

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Laredo Petroleum

Notes to the combined financial statements (Continued)

December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

I—Fair value measurements (Continued)

        Inherent in the fair value calculation of asset retirement obligations are numerous assumptions and judgments including, in addition to those noted above, the ultimate settlement of these amounts, the ultimate timing of such settlement, and changes in legal, regulatory, environmental and political environments. To the extent future revisions to these assumptions impact the fair value of the existing asset retirement obligation liability, a corresponding adjustment will be made to the asset balance.

        Asset retirement obligations.    The accounting policies for asset retirement obligations are discussed in Note B.12, including a reconciliation of the Combined Company's asset retirement obligation. The fair value of additions to the asset retirement obligation liability is measured using valuation techniques consistent with the income approach, which converts future cash flows to a single discounted amount. Significant inputs to the valuation include: (i) estimated plug and abandonment cost per well based on Combined Company experience; (ii) estimated remaining life per well based on the reserve life per well; (iii) future inflation factors; and (iv) the Combined Company's average credit adjusted risk free rate.

        Impairment of oil and natural gas properties.    The accounting policies for impairment of oil and natural gas properties are discussed in Note B.7. Significant inputs included in the calculation of discounted cash flows used in the impairment analysis include the Combined Company's estimate of operating and development costs, anticipated production of proved reserves and other relevant data.

J—Credit risk

        The Combined Company's oil and gas sales are to a variety of purchasers, including intrastate and interstate pipelines or their marketing affiliates and independent marketing companies. The Combined Company's joint operations accounts receivable are from a number of oil and gas companies, partnerships, individuals and others who own interests in the properties operated by the Combined Company. Management believes that any credit risk imposed by a concentration in the oil and gas industry is offset by the creditworthiness of the Combined Company's customer base and industry partners. The Combined Company routinely assesses the recoverability of all material trade and other receivables to determine collectability.

        The Combined Company uses derivative instruments to hedge its exposure to oil and natural gas price volatility and its exposure to interest rate risk associated with the credit facilities (as described in Note D). These transactions expose the Combined Company to potential credit risk from its counterparties. In accordance with the Combined Company's standard practice, its derivative instruments are subject to counterparty netting under agreements governing such derivatives and therefore, the credit risk associated with its derivative counterparties is somewhat mitigated. See Note H for additional information regarding the Combined Company's derivative instruments.

        For the year ended December 31, 2010, the Combined Company had three customers that accounted for 33.1%, 19.0%, and 14.5% of total revenues, with the same three customers accounting for 41.3%, 16.2%, and 14.0% of oil and gas sales accounts receivable as of December 31, 2010. For the year ended December 31, 2009, the Combined Company had three customers that accounted for 35.8%, 13.7% and 11.7% of total revenues, with two of these customers accounting for 42.7% and 16.9% of oil and gas sales accounts receivable as of December 31, 2009. For the year ended December 31, 2008, the Combined Company had three customers that accounted for 39.5%, 19.5% and 12.9% of total revenues.

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Laredo Petroleum

Notes to the combined financial statements (Continued)

December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

J—Credit risk (Continued)

        The following table summarizes the net oil and gas sales (oil and gas sales less production taxes) received from the Combined Company's related party and included in the Combined statements of operation for the periods presented:

 
  For the years ended
December 31,
 
(in thousands)
  2010   2009   2008  

Net oil and gas sales(1)

  $ 35,000   $ 7,288   $ 3,576  

        The following table summarizes the amounts included all in oil and gas sales receivable in the Combined balance sheets for the periods presented:

 
  At December 31,  
(in thousands)
  2010   2009  

Oil and gas sales receivable(1)

  $ 4,435   $ 1,095  

(1)
The Combined Company has a gas gathering and processing arrangement with affiliates of Targa Resources, Inc, ("Targa"). Warburg Pincus IX, a majority equityholder in the Combined Company, and other Warburg Pincus affiliates hold investment interests in Targa. One of Laredo LLC's directors is on the board of directors of affiliates of Targa.

        For the year ended December 31, 2010, two partners' joint operations accounts receivable accounted for 76.5% and 11.4% of the Combined Company's total joint operations accounts receivable. For the year ended December 31, 2009, two partners' joint operations accounts receivable accounted for 37.9% and 23.2% of the Combined Company's total joint operations accounts receivable.

        The Combined Company's cash balances are insured by the FDIC up to $250,000 per bank. The Combined Company had a cash balance on deposits with certain banks in the credit facilities bank group at December 31, 2010, which exceeded the balance insured by the FDIC in the amount of $45 million. Management believes that the risk of loss is mitigated by the bank's reputation and financial position.

K—Commitments and contingencies

1.    Lease commitments

        The Combined Company leases equipment and office space under operating leases expiring on various dates through 2016. Minimum annual lease commitments at December 31, 2010, and for the calendar years following are:

(in thousands)
   
 

2011

  $ 1,265  

2012

    1,187  

2013

    1,061  

2014

    715  

2015

    344  

Thereafter

    89  
       

Total

  $ 4,661  
       

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Laredo Petroleum

Notes to the combined financial statements (Continued)

December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

K—Commitments and contingencies (Continued)

        Rent expense was $0.9 million, $0.8 million, and $0.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

        The Combined Company's office space lease agreements contain scheduled escalation in lease payments during the term of the lease. In accordance with GAAP, the Combined Company records rent expense on a straight-line basis and a deferred lease liability for the difference between the straight-line amount and the actual amounts of the lease payments.

2.    Litigation

        The Combined Company may be involved in legal proceedings or is subject to industry rulings that could bring rise to claims in the ordinary course of business. The Combined Company has concluded that the likelihood is remote that the ultimate resolution of any pending litigation or pending claims will be material or have a material adverse effect on the Combined Company's business, financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

3.    Drilling contracts

        The Combined Company has committed to several short-term drilling contracts with various third parties in order to complete its various drilling projects. The contracts contain an early termination clause that requires the Combined Company to pay significant penalties to the third party should the Combined Company cease drilling efforts. These penalties could significantly impact the Combined Company's financial statements upon contract termination. These commitments are not recorded in the accompanying Combined balance sheets. Future commitments as of December 31, 2010 are $7.4 million. As a result of these commitments $1.6 million in stacked rig fees were incurred in 2009. No stacked rig fees were incurred in 2010. Management does not anticipate canceling any drilling contracts or discontinuing drilling efforts in 2011.

4.    Federal and state regulations

        Oil and natural gas exploration, production and related operations are subject to extensive federal and state laws, rules and regulations. Failure to comply with these laws, rules and regulations can result in substantial penalties. The regulatory burden on the oil and natural gas industry increases the cost of doing business and affects profitability. The Combined Company believes that it is in compliance with currently applicable state and federal regulations and these regulations will not have a material adverse impact on the financial position or results of operations of the Combined Company. Because these rules and regulations are frequently amended or reinterpreted, the Combined Company is unable to predict the future cost or impact of complying with these regulations.

L—Defined contribution plans

Laredo

        Laredo sponsors a 401(k) defined contribution plan for the benefit of substantially all employees at the date of hire. The plan allows eligible employees to make tax-deferred contributions up to 100% of their annual compensation, not to exceed annual limits established by the federal government. Laredo makes matching contributions of up to 6% of an employee's compensation and may make additional

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Laredo Petroleum

Notes to the combined financial statements (Continued)

December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

L—Defined contribution plans (Continued)


discretionary contributions for eligible employees. Employees are 100% vested in the employer contributions upon receipt. Laredo contributions to the plan were $0.7 million, $0.7 million, and $0.5 million in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Broad Oak

        Broad Oak sponsors a 401(k) defined contribution plan for the benefit of all employees. Employees are eligible to join the plan the first day of the calendar month immediately following the employee's date of employment. The plan allows each participant to contribute up to the maximum allowable by the federal government. Each pay period, Broad Oak makes a contribution to the plan that equals the employee's contribution up to the first 6% of the employee's compensation for the period. Employees are 100% vested in the employer contributions upon receipt.

        Broad Oak's employer contributions were $0.3 million, $0.3 million and $0.2 million for the years ending December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. In addition, each year in accordance with the plan, Broad Oak may make an additional discretionary matching contribution of up to 4% of the employee's earnings. Broad Oak's discretionary matching contributions totaled $0.2 million in each of the years ending December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008. Broad Oak may make additional discretionary contributions unrelated to employees' earnings; however, no such contributions were made during 2010, 2009 or 2008.

M—Recently issued accounting standards

        In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2011-04 Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRS which provides a consistent definition of fair value and common requirements for measurement of and disclosure about fair value between GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. This new guidance changes some fair value measurement principles and disclosure requirements, but does not require additional fair value measurements and is not intended to establish valuation standards or affect valuation practices outside of financial reporting. The update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011 and we are in the process of evaluating the impact, if any, the adoption of this update will have on our financial statements.

        In April 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-14, "Accounting for Extractive Activities—Oil & Gas" ("ASU 2014-14"). ASU 2010-14 amends paragraphs in the accounting standard for oil and natural gas extractive activities accounting. The standard adds to the Codification the SEC's Modernization of Oil and Gas Reporting release. The Combined Company adopted the update effective April 20, 2010, and the adoption did not have a significant impact on the Combined Company's combined financial statements.

        In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-06, "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820): Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements" ("ASU 2010-6"). ASU 2010-6 amends Subtopic 820-10 with new disclosure requirements and clarification of existing disclosure requirements. New disclosures required include the amount of significant transfers in and out of Levels 1 and 2 fair value measurements and the reasons for the transfers. In addition, the reconciliation for Level 3 activity will be required on a gross rather than net basis. ASU 2010-6 provides additional guidance related to the level of disaggregation in determining classes of assets and liabilities and disclosures about inputs

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Laredo Petroleum

Notes to the combined financial statements (Continued)

December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

M—Recently issued accounting standards (Continued)


and valuation techniques. The amendments are effective for annual or interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the requirement to provide the reconciliation for Level 3 activity on a gross basis, which is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010. The Combined Company adopted the update effective January 1, 2010, and the adoption did not have a significant impact on the Combined Company's combined financial statements.

N—Subsidiary guarantees

        Laredo LLC and all of Laredo's wholly-owned subsidiaries (Laredo Gas and Laredo Texas, collectively, the "Subsidiary Guarantors") have fully and unconditionally guaranteed the 2019 Notes and the Laredo Senior Secured Credit Facility (see Notes D and O). In accordance with practices accepted by the SEC, Laredo has prepared condensed combined consolidating financial statements in order to quantify the assets, results of operations and cash flows of such subsidiaries as subsidiary guarantors. The following Condensed Combined Consolidating Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and Condensed Combined Consolidating Statements of Operations and Condensed Combined Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, present financial information for Laredo LLC as the parent of Laredo on a stand-alone basis (carrying any investments in subsidiaries under the equity method), financial information for Laredo on a stand-alone basis (carrying any investment in subsidiaries under the equity method), financial information for the Subsidiary Guarantors on a stand-alone basis (carrying any investment in subsidiaries under the equity method), financial information for Broad Oak on a stand-alone basis and the consolidation and elimination entries necessary to arrive at the information for the Combined Company on a condensed combined consolidated basis. All deferred income taxes are recorded on Laredo's statements of financial position, as Laredo's subsidiaries are flow-through entities for income tax purposes. The Subsidiary Guarantors are not restricted from making distributions to Laredo.


Condensed combined balance sheet
December 31, 2010

(in thousands)
  Laredo LLC   Laredo   Subsidiary
guarantors
  Broad Oak   Intercompany
eliminations
  Combined
company
 

Accounts receivable

  $   $ 24,168   $ 824   $ 18,947   $   $ 43,939  

Other current assets

    38,652     21,391         10,340     (13,906 )   56,477  

Total oil and natural gas properties, net

        430,242     20,105     312,935         763,282  

Total pipeline and gas gathering assets, net

            39,343             39,343  

Total other fixed assets, net

        6,915         353         7,268  

Investment in subsidiaries

    511,208     114,881             (626,089 )    

Total other long-term assets

        129,799         28,052         157,851  
                           
 

Total assets

  $ 549,860   $ 727,396   $ 60,272   $ 370,627   $ (639,995 ) $ 1,068,160  
                           

Accounts payable

  $ 1   $ 42,311   $ 1,235   $ 11,697   $ (13,906 ) $ 41,338  

Other current liabilities

        64,675     2,210     42,020         108,905  

Other long-term liabilities

        6,602     2,341     6,275         15,218  

Long-term debt

        277,500         214,100         491,600  

Owners' equity

    549,859     336,308     54,486     96,535     (626,089 )   411,099  
                           
 

Total liabilities and owners' equity

  $ 549,860   $ 727,396   $ 60,272   $ 370,627   $ (639,995 ) $ 1,068,160  
                           

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Laredo Petroleum

Notes to the combined financial statements (Continued)

December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

N—Subsidiary guarantees (Continued)

Condensed combined balance sheet
December 31, 2009

(in thousands)
  Laredo LLC   Laredo   Subsidiary
guarantors
  Broad Oak   Intercompany
eliminations
  Combined
company
 

Accounts receivable

  $ 50,000   $ 15,395   $ 918   $ 4,327   $   $ 70,640  

Other current assets

    16,922     14,169         1,863     (3,701 )   29,253  

Total oil and natural gas properties, net

        262,431     24,939     66,047         353,417  

Total pipeline and gas gathering assets, net

            36,220             36,220  

Total other fixed assets, net

        6,132         331         6,463  

Investment in subsidiaries

    458,308     119,597             (577,905 )    

Total other long-term assets

        128,504         847         129,351  
                           
 

Total assets

  $ 525,230   $ 546,228   $ 62,077   $ 73,415   $ (581,606 ) $ 625,344  
                           

Accounts payable

  $ 1   $ 26,762   $ 1,538   $ 9,684   $ (3,701 ) $ 34,284  

Other current liabilities

        30,645     2,035     12,301         44,981  

Other long-term liabilities

        5,768     1,338     2,766         9,872  

Long-term debt

        202,500         44,600         247,100  

Owners' equity

    525,229     280,553     57,166     4,064     (577,905 )   289,107  
                           
 

Total liabilities and owners' equity

  $ 525,230   $ 546,228   $ 62,077   $ 73,415   $ (581,606 ) $ 625,344  
                           


Condensed combined statement of operations
For the year ended December 31, 2010

(in thousands)
  Laredo LLC   Laredo   Subsidiary
guarantors
  Broad Oak   Intercompany
eliminations
  Combined
company
 

Total operating revenues

  $   $ 93,584   $ 16,225   $ 136,148   $ (3,953 ) $ 242,004  

Total operating costs and expenses

    7     91,624     14,189     67,155     (3,953 )   169,022  
                           
 

Income (loss) from operations

    (7 )   1,960     2,036     68,993         72,982  

Interest income (expense), net

    150     (11,912 )       (6,570 )       (18,332 )

Other, net

        13,809         (8,023 )       5,786  
                           
 

Income from operations before income tax

    143     3,857     2,036     54,400         60,436  

Income tax (expense) benefit

        (2,234 )       28,046         25,812  
                           
 

Net income

  $ 143   $ 1,623   $ 2,036   $ 82,446   $   $ 86,248  
                           

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Laredo Petroleum

Notes to the combined financial statements (Continued)

December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

N—Subsidiary guarantees (Continued)


Condensed combined statement of operations
For the year ended December 31, 2009

(in thousands)
  Laredo LLC   Laredo   Subsidiary
guarantors
  Broad Oak   Intercompany
eliminations
  Combined
company
 

Total operating revenues

  $   $ 61,002   $ 13,533   $ 25,423   $ (3,066 ) $ 96,892  

Total operating costs and expenses

    7     244,570     42,925     65,985     (3,066 )   350,421  
                           
 

Loss from operations

    (7 )   (183,568 )   (29,392 )   (40,562 )       (253,529 )

Interest income (expense), net

    185     (6,032 )       (1,394 )       (7,241 )

Other, net

        8,316         (6,047 )       2,269  
                           
 

Income (loss) from operations before income tax

    178     (181,284 )   (29,392 )   (48,003 )       (258,501 )

Income tax benefit

        74,006                 74,006  
                           
 

Net income (loss)

  $ 178   $ (107,278 ) $ (29,392 ) $ (48,003 ) $   $ (184,495 )
                           


Condensed combined statement of operations
For the year ended December 31, 2008

(in thousands)
  Laredo LLC   Laredo   Subsidiary
guarantors
  Broad Oak   Intercompany
eliminations
  Combined
company
 

Total operating revenues

  $   $ 40,406   $ 20,614   $ 14,767   $ (1,052 ) $ 74,735  

Total operating costs and expenses

    56     184,643     54,874     112,680     (1,052 )   351,201  
                           
 

Loss from operations

    (56 )   (144,237 )   (34,260 )   (97,913 )       (276,466 )

Interest income (expense), net

    504     (3,982 )       (151 )       (3,629 )

Other, net

        24,738         9,593         34,331  
                           
 

Income (loss) from operations before income tax

    448     (123,481 )   (34,260 )   (88,471 )       (245,764 )

Income tax expense

        53,717                 53,717  
                           
 

Net income (loss)

  $ 448   $ (69,764 ) $ (34,260 ) $ (88,471 ) $   $ (192,047 )
                           

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Laredo Petroleum

Notes to the combined financial statements (Continued)

December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

N—Subsidiary guarantees (Continued)


Condensed combined statement of cash flows
For the year ended December 31, 2010

(in thousands)
  Laredo LLC   Laredo   Subsidiary
guarantors
  Broad Oak   Intercompany
eliminations
  Combined
company
 

Net cash flows provided by operating activities

  $ 143   $ 63,887   $ 10,103   $ 93,115   $ (10,205 ) $ 157,043  

Net cash flows used in investing activities

    (52,900 )   (132,564 )   (10,103 )   (264,980 )       (460,547 )

Net cash flows provided by financing activities

    74,487     68,677         176,588         319,752  
                           
 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

    21,730             4,723     (10,205 )   16,248  
 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

    16,922             1,766     (3,701 )   14,987  
                           
 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

  $ 38,652   $   $   $ 6,489   $ (13,906 ) $ 31,235  
                           


Condensed combined statement of cash flows
For the year ended December 31, 2009

(in thousands)
  Laredo LLC   Laredo   Subsidiary
guarantors
  Broad Oak   Intercompany
eliminations
  Combined
company
 

Net cash flows provided by operating activities

  $ 178   $ 88,896   $ 4,270   $ 17,824   $ 1,501   $ 112,669  

Net cash flows used in investing activities

    (122,701 )   (162,704 )   (4,270 )   (71,658 )       (361,333 )

Net cash flows provided by financing activities

    124,700     73,808         51,631         250,139  
                           
 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

    2,177             (2,203 )   1,501     1,475  
 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

    14,745             3,969     (5,202 )   13,512  
                           
 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

  $ 16,922   $   $   $ 1,766   $ (3,701 ) $ 14,987  
                           

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Laredo Petroleum

Notes to the combined financial statements (Continued)

December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

N—Subsidiary guarantees (Continued)

Condensed combined statement of cash flows
For the year ended December 31, 2008

(in thousands)
  Laredo LLC   Laredo   Subsidiary
guarantors
  Broad Oak   Intercompany
eliminations
  Combined
company
 

Net cash flows provided by operating activities

  $ 448   $ 5,034   $ 19,928   $ 4,963   $ (5,041 ) $ 25,332  

Net cash flows used in investing activities

    (285,967 )   (90,498 )   (19,928 )   (94,504 )       (490,897 )

Net cash flows provided by financing activities

    300,000     82,119         90,021         472,140  
                           
 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

    14,481     (3,345 )       480     (5,041 )   6,575  
 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

    264     3,345         3,489     (161 )   6,937  
                           
 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

  $ 14,745   $   $   $ 3,969   $ (5,202 ) $ 13,512  
                           

O—Subsequent events

1.    2019 Notes

        On January 20, 2011, Laredo completed an offering of $350 million 2019 Notes. The 2019 Notes will mature on February 15, 2019 and bear an interest rate of 9.5% per annum, payable semi-annually, in cash in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each year, commencing August 15, 2011. The 2019 Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior unsecured basis by Laredo LLC and the Subsidiary Guarantors. The net proceeds from the 2019 Notes were used (i) to repay and retire $100 million outstanding under the Term Loan, (ii) to pay in full $177.5 million outstanding under the Laredo Senior Secured Credit Facility, and (iii) for general working capital purposes.

        The 2019 Notes were issued under and are governed by an indenture dated January 20, 2011 (the "Indenture"), among Laredo, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, and the Guarantors. The Indenture contains customary terms, events of default and covenants relating to, among other things, the incurrence of debt, the payment of dividends or similar restricted payments, undertaking transactions with Laredo's unrestricted affiliates and limitations on asset sales. Indebtedness under the 2019 Notes may be accelerated in certain circumstances upon an event of default as set forth in the Indenture.

        Laredo will have the option to redeem the 2019 Notes, in whole or in part, at any time on or after February 15, 2015, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) of 104.750% for the twelve-month period beginning on February 15, 2015, 102.375% for the twelve-month period beginning on February 15, 2016 and 100.000% for the twelve-month period beginning on February 15, 2017 and at any time thereafter, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, the date of redemption. In addition, before February 15, 2015, Laredo may redeem all or any part of the 2019 Notes at a redemption price equal to the sum of the principal amount thereof, plus a make whole premium at the redemption date, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date. Furthermore, before February 15, 2014, Laredo may, at any time or from time to time, redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2019 Notes with the net proceeds of a public or private

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Laredo Petroleum

Notes to the combined financial statements (Continued)

December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

O—Subsequent events (Continued)


equity offering at a redemption price of 109.500% of the principal amount of 2019 Notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption, if at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2019 Notes issued under the Indenture remains outstanding immediately after such redemption and the redemption occurs within 180 days of the closing date of such equity offering. Laredo may also be required to make an offer to purchase the 2019 Notes upon a change of control triggering event.

        In connection with the issuance of the 2019 Notes, Laredo, Laredo LLC and the Guarantors entered into a registration rights agreement with the initial purchasers of the 2019 Notes on January 20, 2011 pursuant to which Laredo, Laredo LLC and the Guarantors have agreed to file with the SEC and use commercially reasonable efforts to cause to become effective a registration statement with respect to an offer to exchange the 2019 Notes for substantially identical notes (other than with respect to restrictions on transfer or to any increase in annual interest rate) that are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, so as to permit the exchange offer to be consummated by the 365th day after January 20, 2011. Under specified circumstances, Laredo, Laredo LLC and the Guarantors have also agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to cause to become effective a shelf registration statement relating to resales of the 2019 Notes. Laredo will be obligated to pay additional interest if it fails to comply with its obligation to complete the exchange offer or register the 2019 Notes to the extent the transfer of such notes remain unregistered follow the specified time periods or the two year anniversary of the issuance of the notes.

2.    Amendments to the Laredo senior secured credit facility

        Effective contemporaneously with the issuance of the 2019 Notes, Laredo entered into an amendment of its Laredo Senior Secured Credit Facility. This amendment extended the term of the Laredo Senior Secured Credit Facility to July 7, 2015, decreased the borrowing base to $200 million and eliminated the leverage test. The amended Laredo Senior Secured Credit Facility is subject to decreased applicable margins ranging from 2.00% to 2.75% for Eurodollar Advances and 1.00% to 1.75% for Adjusted Base Rate Advances.

        As previously described in Note A, on July 1, 2011, Laredo LLC and Laredo consummated a transaction by which Broad Oak became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Laredo. The cash portion of the transaction and the full repayment of the amounts outstanding under the Broad Oak Credit Facility was funded under Laredo's amended and restated Laredo Senior Secured Credit Facility. Under this third amendment and restatement, the Laredo Senior Secured Credit Facility's capacity increased to $1.0 billion, with a borrowing base of $650.0 million. At August 22, 2011, $500.0 million was outstanding. The borrowing base is subject to a semi-annual redetermination based on the financial institutions' evaluation of Laredo's oil and gas reserves. The amendment lengthened the term of the Laredo Senior Secured Credit Facility making it available until July 1, 2016, at which time the outstanding balance will be due. As defined in the Laredo Senior Secured Credit Facility, (i) the Adjusted Base Rate advances under the facility bear interest payable quarterly at an Adjusted Base Rate plus applicable margin and (ii) the Eurodollar advances under the facility bear interest, at our election, at the end of one-month, two-month, three-month, six-month or, to the extent available, twelve-month interest periods (and in the case of six-month and twelve-month interest periods, every three months prior to the end of such interest period) at an Adjusted London Interbank Offered Rate plus an applicable margin, based on the ratio of outstanding revolving credit to the conforming base rate. Laredo is also required to pay an annual commitment fee on the unused portion of the bank's commitment of 0.375% to 0.5%.

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Laredo Petroleum

Notes to the combined financial statements (Continued)

December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

O—Subsequent events (Continued)

        Laredo made new borrowings on its Laredo Senior Secured Credit Facility of $25 million each on April 4, May 9, and June 20, 2011. See Note O.2 for additional discussion and amendments of the Senior Secured Credit Facility.

3.    Restricted unit issuance

        On April 11, 2011, Laredo LLC issued 1.7 million Series D Units to its employees and directors.

4.    Broad Oak Transaction

        On July 1, 2011, Laredo LLC and Laredo completed the acquisition of Broad Oak, which became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Laredo. In connection with the transaction, Laredo LLC issued: (i) approximately 86.5 million preferred equity units to Warburg Pincus IX and WP IX Finance in exchange for the convertible preferred shares previously held in Broad Oak; and (ii) approximately 2.4 million preferred equity units to Broad Oak's management and directors in exchange for certain of the common stock and convertible preferred stock they previously held in Broad Oak. In addition, Laredo paid approximately $82 million in cash for certain of the vested Broad Oak common stock, convertible preferred stock and all outstanding and vested Broad Oak options that certain Broad Oak directors and management and employees elected to sell. All unvested shares of Broad Oak common stock and unvested Broad Oak options were cancelled. Additionally, the Broad Oak Credit Facility was paid in full and terminated. Immediately following the consummation of such transaction, Laredo LLC assigned 100% of its ownership interest in Broad Oak to Laredo as a contribution to capital.

        The cash portion of the transaction was funded under the third amended and restated Laredo Senior Secured Credit Facility, as described in Note O.2 above.

        Upon consummation of the acquisition of Broad Oak, Broad Oak was added as a guarantor under the Laredo Senior Secured Credit Facility and the 2019 Notes and its name was changed to Laredo Petroleum — Dallas, Inc.

        In connection with the Broad Oak Transaction, the LLC Agreement was amended and restated (the "Amended and Restated LLC Agreement"). The amendment and restatement, among other things, created a new series of preferred units that were issued to Broad Oak's stockholders and three new series of restricted units which are subject to the same vesting requirements as the other Restricted Units.

        On August 10, 2011, Laredo granted an aggregate of approximately 5.3 million Series F Units to the legacy Company employees, including the named executive officers, and approximately 1.2 million Series G Units and approximately 0.7 million BOE Incentive Units to certain new employees from former Broad Oak, all of which were authorized pursuant to the Amended and Restated LLC Agreement.

5.    IPO

        On August 12, 2011, Laredo LLC formed Laredo Holdings, a new wholly-owned subsidiary, in anticipation of an IPO. Immediately prior to the effectiveness of the IPO, Laredo LLC will be merged into Laredo Holdings and Laredo Holdings will continue as the surviving corporation. The Amended and Restated LLC Agreement and related agreements will consequently be terminated as the ownership in Laredo LLC will be exchanged for shares of common stock of Laredo Holdings.

        We have evaluated subsequent events for recognition or disclosure through August 23, 2011, which was the date the financial statements were filed with the SEC.

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Laredo Petroleum

Supplemental Oil and Gas Disclosures

December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

1.    Modernization of oil and natural gas reporting requirements

        On December 31, 2008, the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") adopted major revisions (the "final rules") to its rules governing oil and gas company reporting requirements effective for annual reports for fiscal years ending on or after December 31, 2009. These included provisions that permit the use of new technologies to determine proved reserves, and that allow companies to disclose their probable and possible reserves to investors. Prior to these revisions companies were limited to disclosure of only proved reserves. The final rules also require that oil and gas reserves be reported and the full cost ceiling value calculated using an average price based upon the unweighted arithmetic average first-day-of-the-month posted price for each month in the prior twelve-month period. Reserves and discounted cash flows were prepared using the final rules and were used in the calculation of DD&A and the ceiling test at December 31, 2010 and 2009.

2.    Costs incurred in oil and gas property acquisition, exploration and development activities

        Costs incurred in the acquisition and development of oil and gas assets are presented below for the years ended December 31:

(in thousands)
  2010   2009   2008  

Property acquisition costs:

                   
 

Proved

  $   $   $ 144,277  
 

Unproved

            34,864  

Exploration

    87,576     53,708     134,408  

Development costs

    412,861     272,071     189,940  

Asset retirement obligations

    2,009     1,785     2,624  
               

Total costs incurred

  $ 502,446   $ 327,564   $ 506,113  
               

3.    Capitalized oil and gas costs

        Aggregate capitalized costs related to oil and gas production activities with applicable accumulated depreciation, depletion, amortization and impairment are presented below as of December 31:

(in thousands)
  2010   2009   2008  

Capitalized costs:

                   
 

Proved properties

  $ 1,379,885   $ 881,106   $ 554,923  
 

Unproved properties

    96,515     92,847     91,491  
               

    1,476,400     973,953     646,414  
 

Less accumulated depreciation, depletion, amortization and impairment

    713,118     620,537     319,327  
               

Net capitalized costs

  $ 763,282   $ 353,416   $ 327,087  
               

        Unproved properties, which are not subject to amortization, are not individually significant and consist primarily of lease acquisition costs. The evaluation process associated with these properties has not been completed and therefore, the Company is unable to estimate when these costs will be included in the amortization calculation.

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Laredo Petroleum

Supplemental Oil and Gas Disclosures (Continued)

December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

4.    Results of oil and gas producing activities

        The results of operations of oil and gas producing activities (excluding corporate overhead and interest costs) are presented below as of December 31:

(in thousands)
  2010   2009   2008  

Revenues:

                   
 

Oil and gas sales

  $ 239,783   $ 94,347   $ 73,883  

Production costs:

                   
 

Lease operating expenses

    21,684     12,531     6,436  
 

Production and ad valorem taxes

    15,699     6,129     5,481  
               

    37,383     18,660     11,917  

Other costs:

                   
 

Depreciation, depletion, amortization and impairment

    93,815     301,279     314,580  
 

Accretion of asset retirement obligation

    475     406     170  
 

Income tax expense (benefit)

    39,223     (67,637 )   (54,865 )
               

Results of operations

  $ 68,887   $ (158,361 ) $ (197,919 )
               

5.    Net proved oil and gas reserves (unaudited)

        The Combined Company's proved oil and gas reserves as of December 31, 2010 were prepared by Ryder Scott Company, independent third party petroleum consultants. Ryder Scott prepared 100% of proved reserves for Laredo for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008. We used the Ryder Scott report of the Combined Company's proved reserves for the year ended December 31, 2010 to estimate the Broad Oak reserves for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008. In accordance with the new SEC regulations, reserves at December 31, 2010 and 2009 were estimated using the unweighted arithmetic average first-day-of-the-month price for the preceding 12—month period. The reserve estimate for 2008 was prepared in compliance with the applicable prior SEC rules based on year-end prices. Our reserves are reported in two streams; crude oil and natural gas. The economic value of the natural gas liquids in our natural gas is included in the wellhead natural gas price. The Company emphasizes that reserve estimates are inherently imprecise and that estimates of new discoveries are more imprecise than those of producing oil and natural gas properties. Accordingly, the estimates may change as future information becomes available.

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Laredo Petroleum

Supplemental Oil and Gas Disclosures (Continued)

December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

5.    Net proved oil and gas reserves (unaudited) (Continued)

        An analysis of the change in estimated quantities of oil and gas reserves, all of which are located within the United States, for the years ended December 31, is as follows:

 
  Year ended December 31, 2010  
(in thousands)
  Gas
(MMcf)
  Oil
(MBbls)
  MMcfe   MBOE  

Proved developed and undeveloped reserves:

                         
 

Beginning of year

    279,549     5,928     315,115     52,519  
 

Revisions of previous estimates

    (14,619 )   326     (12,664 )   (2,110 )
 

Extensions, discoveries and other additions

    306,729     40,241     548,179     91,363  
 

Purchases of minerals in place

                 
 

Production

    (21,381 )   (1,648 )   (31,270 )   (5,212 )
                   
 

End of year

    550,278     44,847     819,360     136,560  
                   

Proved developed reserves:

                         
 

Beginning of year

    135,204     2,905     152,632     25,439  
 

End of year

    194,481     12,420     269,000     44,833  

Proved undeveloped reserves:

                         
 

Beginning of year

    144,345     3,023     162,483     27,080  
 

End of year

    355,797     32,427     550,360     91,727  

 

 
  Year ended December 31, 2009  
(in thousands)
  Gas
(MMcf)
  Oil
(MBbls)
  MMcfe   MBOE  

Proved developed and undeveloped reserves:

                         
 

Beginning of year

    244,051     3,508     265,097     44,183  
 

Revisions of previous estimates

    (51,823 )   (785 )   (56,535 )   (9,423 )
 

Extensions, discoveries and other additions

    105,623     3,718     127,932     21,322  
 

Purchases of minerals in place

                 
 

Production

    (18,302 )   (513 )   (21,379 )   (3,563 )
                   
 

End of year

    279,549     5,928     315,115     52,519  
                   

Proved developed reserves:

                         
 

Beginning of year

    107,175     1,506     116,209     19,368  
 

End of year

    135,204     2,905     152,632     25,439  

Proved undeveloped reserves:

                         
 

Beginning of year

    136,876     2,002     148,888     24,815  
 

End of year

    144,345     3,023     162,483     27,080  

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Laredo Petroleum

Supplemental Oil and Gas Disclosures (Continued)

December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

5.    Net proved oil and gas reserves (unaudited) (Continued)

 
  Year ended December 31, 2008  
(in thousands)
  Gas
(MMcf)
  Oil
(MBbls)
  MMcfe   MBOE  

Proved developed and undeveloped reserves:

                         
 

Beginning of year

    43,106     307     44,949     7,492  
 

Revisions of previous estimates

    (4,149 )   (156 )   (5,084 )   (848 )
 

Extensions, discoveries and other additions

    158,845     3,241     178,289     29,715  
 

Purchases of minerals in place

    54,373     308     56,221     9,370  
 

Production

    (8,124 )   (192 )   (9,278 )   (1,546 )
                   
 

End of year

    244,051     3,508     265,097     44,183  
                   

Proved developed reserves:

                         
 

Beginning of year

    21,383     63     21,762     3,627  
 

End of year

    107,175     1,506     116,209     19,368  

Proved undeveloped reserves:

                         
 

Beginning of year

    21,723     244     23,187     3,865  
 

End of year

    136,876     2,002     148,888     24,815  

        The tables above include changes in estimated quantities of oil and natural gas reserves shown in MMcf equivalents ("MMcfe") at a rate of one MBbl per six MMcf and shown in MBbl equivalents ("MBOE") at a rate of six MMcf per one MBbls.

        For the year ended December 31, 2010, the Combined Company's negative revision of 2,110 MBOE of previous estimated quantities is primarily due to uneconomic proved undeveloped locations. Extensions, discoveries and other additions of 91,363 MBOE during the year ended December 31, 2010, consist of 20,533 MBOE primarily from the drilling of new wells during the year and 70,830 MBOE from new proved undeveloped locations added during the year, which increased the Combined Company's proved reserves, the latter of which consists of 63,444 MBOE attributable to 957 vertical locations in our Permian Basin play, 7,002 MBOE attributable to 53 vertical locations in our Anadarko Granite Wash play and 384 MBOE attributable to 8 locations in other areas. The oil and natural gas reference prices used in computing our reserves as of December 31, 2010 were $75.96 per barrel and $4.15 per MMBtu before price differentials.

        For the year ended December 31, 2009, the Combined Company's negative revision of previous estimated quantities is composed of a 7,708 MBOE revision due to the decrease in oil and gas prices at December 31, 2009 and a decrease of 1,715 MBOE for performance revisions. Extensions, discoveries and other additions of 21,322 MBOE during the year ended December 31, 2009, consist of 8,866 MBOE primarily from the drilling of new wells during the year and 12,456 MBOE from new proved undeveloped locations added during the year, which increased the Combined Company's proved reserves. The oil and natural gas reference prices used in computing our reserves as of December 31, 2009 were $57.04 per barrel and $3.15 per MMBtu before price differentials.

        For the year ended December 31, 2008, the Combined Company's negative revision of previous estimated quantities is composed of a 338 MBOE revision due to the decrease in oil and gas prices at December 31, 2008 and a decrease of 510 MBOE for performance revisions. The Combined Company made three acquisitions of working and royalty interests during the year ended December 31, 2008, with total proved reserves of 9,370 MBOE, See Note C for additional details. Extensions, discoveries,

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Laredo Petroleum

Supplemental Oil and Gas Disclosures (Continued)

December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

5.    Net proved oil and gas reserves (unaudited) (Continued)


and other additions of 29,715 MBOE during the year ended December 31, 2008, consist of 8,122 MBOE primarily from the drilling of new wells during the year and 21,593 MBOE from new proved undeveloped locations added during the year, which increased the Combined Company's proved reserves. The oil and natural gas reference prices used in computing our reserves as of December 31, 2008 were $44.60 per barrel and $4.68 per MMBtu before price differentials.

6.    Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows—(unaudited)

        The standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows does not purport to be, nor should it be interpreted to present, the fair value of the oil and natural gas reserves of the property. An estimate of fair value would take into account, among other things, the recovery of reserves not presently classified as proved, the value of unproved properties, and consideration of expected future economic and operating conditions.

        The estimates of future cash flows and future production and development costs as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 are based on the unweighted arithmetic average first-day-of-the-month price for the preceding 12-month period and reserves as of December 31, 2008 prepared in compliance with the applicable prior SEC rules based on year-end prices. Estimated future production of proved reserves and estimated future production and development costs of proved reserves are based on current costs and economic conditions. Future income tax expenses are computed using the appropriate year-end statutory tax rates applied to the future pretax net cash flows from proved oil and natural gas reserves, less the tax basis of the Company's and Broad Oak's oil and natural gas properties. Reference prices used, before differentials were applied were $4.15, $3.15, and $4.68 per MMBtu and $75.96, $57.04, and $44.60 per Bbl of oil for December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. All wellhead prices are held flat over the forecast period for all reserve categories. The estimated future net cash flows are then discounted at a rate of 10%.

        The standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows relating to proved oil and natural gas reserves is as follows at December 31:

(in thousands)
  2010   2009   2008  

Future cash inflows

  $ 6,597,739   $ 1,369,593   $ 1,521,739  

Future production costs

    (2,057,681 )   (431,240 )   (417,378 )

Future development costs

    (1,715,836 )   (318,074 )   (397,221 )

Future income tax expenses

    (602,551 )       (111,779 )
               
 

Future net cash flows

    2,221,671     620,279     595,361  

10% discount for estimated timing of cash flows

    (1,351,689 )   (352,664 )   (372,990 )
               
 

Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows

  $ 869,982   $ 267,615   $ 222,371  
               

        In the foregoing determination of future cash inflows, sales prices used for gas and oil for December 31, 2010 and 2009 were estimated using the average price during the 12-month period, determined as the unweighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month price for each month. Prices used for December 31, 2008 were prepared in compliance with the applicable prior SEC rules based on year-end prices. Prices were adjusted by lease for quality, transportation fees and regional price differentials. Future costs of developing and producing the proved gas and oil reserves reported at

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Laredo Petroleum

Supplemental Oil and Gas Disclosures (Continued)

December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

6.    Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows—(unaudited) (Continued)


the end of each year shown were based on costs determined at each such year-end, assuming the continuation of existing economic conditions.

        It is not intended that the FASB's standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows represent the fair market value of the Combined Company's proved reserves. The Combined Company cautions that the disclosures shown are based on estimates of proved reserve quantities and future production schedules which are inherently imprecise and subject to revision, and the 10% discount rate is arbitrary. In addition, costs and prices as of the measurement date are used in the determinations, and no value may be assigned to probable or possible reserves.

        Changes in the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows relating to proved oil and gas reserves are as follows:

(in thousands)
  2010   2009   2008  

Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows, beginning of year

  $ 267,615   $ 222,371   $ 76,205  

Changes in the year resulting from:

                   
 

Sales, less production costs

    (202,400 )   (75,687 )   (61,920 )
 

Revisions of previous quantity estimates

    (15,080 )   (48,209 )   (8,022 )
 

Extensions, discoveries and other additions

    788,090     127,704     137,639  
 

Net change in prices and production costs

    214,308     (40,062 )   (31,418 )
 

Changes in estimated future development costs

    (62,386 )   12,062     (198,862 )
 

Previously estimated development costs incurred during the period

    20,082     41,620     226,169  
 

Purchases of minerals in place

            78,977  
 

Accretion of discount

    26,762     24,302     11,221  
 

Net change in income taxes

    (191,714 )   20,648     (5,117 )
 

Timing differences and other

    24,705     (17,134 )   (2,501 )
               

Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows, end of year

  $ 869,982   $ 267,615   $ 222,371  
               

        Estimates of economically recoverable oil and natural gas reserves and of future net revenues are based upon a number of variable factors and assumptions, all of which are to some degree subjective and may vary considerably from actual results. Therefore, actual production, revenues, development and operating expenditures may not occur as estimated. The reserve data are estimates only, are subject to many uncertainties and are based on data gained from production histories and on assumptions as to geologic formations and other matters. Actual quantities of oil and natural gas may differ materially from the amounts estimated.

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Board of Directors and Shareholders
Laredo Petroleum Holdings, Inc.

        We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Laredo Petroleum Holdings, Inc. (a Delaware corporation) (the "Company") as of August 12, 2011. This financial statement is the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on this financial statement based on our audit.

        We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statement is free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statement, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

        In our opinion, the balance sheet referred to above presents fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Laredo Petroleum Holdings, Inc. as of August 12, 2011, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP

Tulsa, Oklahoma
August 23, 2011

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Laredo Petroleum Holdings, Inc.

Balance sheet

August 12, 2011

 
  August 12, 2011  

ASSETS

       
 

Cash

  $ 10  
       
     

Total assets

  $ 10  
       

SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY

       
   

Common stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 10,000 shares; 1,000 issued and outstanding at August 12, 2011

  $ 10  
       
     

Total shareholder's equity

  $ 10  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this balance sheet.

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Laredo Petroleum Holdings, Inc.

Notes to the balance sheet

August 12, 2011

A—Organization

        Laredo Petroleum Holding, Inc. ("Laredo Holdings") was formed on August 12, 2011, pursuant to the laws of the State of Delaware as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Laredo Petroleum, LLC ("Laredo LLC"). On August 12, 2011, Laredo LLC contributed $10 to Laredo Holdings in exchange for 1,000 shares of Laredo Holdings common stock.

        Laredo Holdings plans to pursue an initial public offering of its common stock. Prior to the consummation of such initial public offering, Laredo LLC will be merged into Laredo Holdings, with Laredo Holdings surviving in the merger.

B—Summary of significant accounting policies

1.    Basis of presentation

        This balance sheet has been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Separate statements of operations, shareholder's equity and cash flows have not been presented because Laredo Holdings has had no business transactions or activities to date.

C—Subsequent events

        We have evaluated subsequent events for recognition or disclosure through August 23, 2011, which was the date the financial statements were filed with the SEC.

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

Board of Managers and Members
Laredo Petroleum, LLC

        We have audited the accompanying statement of revenues and direct operating expenses of the interests of Linn Energy Holdings, LLC, Linn Operating, Inc., Mid-Continent I, LLC, Mid-Continent II, LLC, and Linn Exploration Midcontinent, LLC in certain oil and gas properties acquired by Laredo Petroleum, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") for the period from January 1, 2008 to August 14, 2008. This statement of revenues and direct operating expenses is the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on this statement of revenues and direct operating expenses based on our audit.

        We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America as established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the statement of revenues and direct operating expenses is free of material misstatement. An audit includes consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the statement of revenues and direct operating expense, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the statement of revenues and direct operating expenses. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

        The accompanying statement of revenues and direct operating expenses was prepared for the purpose of complying with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (for incorporation in the registration statement on Form S-4 of the Company) as described in Note A to the accompanying statement, and is not intended to be a complete presentation of the revenues and expenses of Linn Energy Holdings, LLC, Linn Operating, Inc., Mid-Continent I, LLC, Mid-Continent II, LLC, and Linn Exploration Midcontinent, LLC.

        In our opinion, the statement of revenues and direct operating expense referred to above presents fairly, in all material respects, the revenues and direct operating expenses of Linn Energy Holdings, LLC, Linn Operating, Inc., Mid-Continent I, LLC, Mid-Continent II, LLC, and Linn Exploration Midcontinent, LLC in the properties acquired by the Company for the period from January 1, 2008 to August 14, 2008, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP

Tulsa, Oklahoma
January 18, 2010

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Laredo Petroleum, LLC

Statement of revenues and direct operating expenses—
assets acquired from Linn Energy Holdings, LLC,
Linn Operating,  Inc., Mid-Continent I, LLC,
Mid-Continent II, LLC, and Linn Exploration Midcontinent, LLC

For the period from January 1, 2008 to August 14, 2008

REVENUE:

       
 

Natural gas sales

  $ 20,873,219  
 

Oil and condensate sales

    1,350,572  
       
   

Total revenues

    22,223,791  
       

DIRECT OPERATING EXPENSES:

       
 

Lease operating expenses

    1,073,684  
 

Transportation

    16,013  
 

Production taxes

    1,664,000  
       
   

Total direct operating expenses

    2,753,697  
       

EXCESS OF REVENUES OVER DIRECT OPERATING EXPENSES

  $ 19,470,094  
       

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this statement.

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Laredo Petroleum, LLC

Assets acquired from Linn Energy Holdings, LLC,
Linn Operating, Inc., Mid-Continent I, LLC,
Mid-Continent II, LLC, and Linn Exploration Midcontinent, LLC

Notes to statement of revenues and direct operating expenses

for the period from January 1, 2008 to August 14, 2008

A—Basis of presentation

        On May 30, 2008 and on August 6, 2008, Laredo Petroleum, LLC (the "Company"), through its wholly owned subsidiary, Laredo Petroleum, Inc. ("LPI"), entered into purchase and sale agreements with Linn Energy Holdings, LLC, Linn Operating, Inc., Mid-Continent I, LLC, Mid-Continent II, LLC, and Linn Exploration Midcontinent, LLC (collectively "Linn") to acquire ownership interests in oil and gas properties located in the Verden area in Caddo, Grady and Comanche Counties, Oklahoma, for a total purchase price of $185 million, subject to customary purchase price adjustments. The first purchase and sale agreement had an effective date of July 1, 2008, and closed on August 15, 2008 and represented all but one of the acquired properties. The second purchase and sale agreement pertained to the remaining property and had an effective date of July 1, 2008 and closed on August 7, 2008. The second purchase and sale agreement enabled the Company to take over drilling operations on this particular well on an earlier date. The properties acquired (the "Assets") include interests in the Verden field and other productive fields and are comprised of producing wells and units. As additional consideration to Linn, the Company agreed to a Participation Option Agreement, granting Linn a casing point election to acquire 1/8 of the Company's newly acquired acreage in certain qualifying wells. The Company began operating these properties in August 2008.

        The Assets were part of a larger enterprise prior to the acquisition by LPI, and representative amounts of general and administrative expense, effects of derivative transactions, interest income or expense, depreciation, depletion, and amortization, any provision for income tax expenses, and other income and expense items not directly associated with revenues from natural gas, natural gas liquids and oil and other indirect costs were not allocated to the properties acquired, nor would such allocated historical costs be relevant to future operation of the Assets. Historical financial statements reflecting financial position, results of operations, and cash flows required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America are not presented as such information is not readily available on an individual property basis and not meaningful to the acquired properties. Accordingly, the historical statements of revenues and direct operating expenses reflecting LPI's interest in the properties are presented in lieu of the full financial statements under Item 3-05 of the Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-X.

        The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

B—Revenue and expense recognition

        Oil and gas revenue are recognized based on actual volumes of oil and gas sold to purchasers. Gas imbalances are accounted for under the sales method. Under this method, revenues are recognized based on actual volumes of oil and gas sold to purchasers. An imbalance is created when an owner sells more or less than their entitlement share of volumes produced. The volumes sold may differ from the volumes entitled based on ownership interest in the property. Direct operating expenses are recognized on the accrual basis and consist of monthly operator overhead costs and other direct costs of operating

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Laredo Petroleum, LLC

Assets acquired from Linn Energy Holdings, LLC,
Linn Operating, Inc., Mid-Continent I, LLC,
Mid-Continent II, LLC, and Linn Exploration Midcontinent, LLC

Notes to statement of revenues and direct operating expenses (Continued)

for the period from January 1, 2008 to August 14, 2008

B—Revenue and expense recognition (Continued)


the Assets, including field operating expenses, workovers, product transportation expenses, production and property taxes.

C—Commitments and contingencies

        Pursuant to the terms of the related purchase and sale agreement, except for royalties and taxes attributed to the Assets for periods prior to the effective date and limited indemnification by Linn, any claims, litigation or disputes pending as of the effective date or any matters arising in connection with ownership of the Assets prior to the effective date were assumed by LPI. LPI is not aware of any legal, environmental or other commitments or contingencies that would have a material effect on the statement of revenues and direct operating expenses.

D—Supplemental financial information for oil and natural gas producing activities (unaudited)

        The following reserve estimates present LPI's estimate of the proven oil and natural gas reserves and net cash flow of the Assets in accordance with guidelines established by the Securities and Exchange Commission. These reserve estimates were prepared by LPI. LPI emphasizes that reserve estimates are inherently imprecise and that estimates of new discoveries are more imprecise than those of producing oil and natural gas properties. Accordingly, the estimates are expected to change as future information becomes available. All of the oil and gas reserves purchased from Linn are located in the United States.

1.    Reserve quantity information

        Estimated net quantities of proved oil and natural gas reserves at July 31, 2008 and changes in the reserves during the period are shown in the schedule below:

 
  Oil (MBbls)   Gas (MMcf)   MMcfe  

Proved developed and undeveloped reserves

                   
 

Beginning of period—January 1, 2008

    254     56,157     57,681  
 

Extensions, discoveries and other additions

        151     151  
 

Revisions of previous estimates

    4     578     602  
 

Production

    (12 )   (2,597 )   (2,669 )
               
 

End of period—July 31, 2008

    246     54,289     55,765  
               

Proved developed reserves

                   
 

Beginning of period—January 1, 2008

    158     42,498     43,446  
 

End of period—July 31, 2008

    150     40,615     41,515  
               

        The table above includes changes in estimated quantities of oil and natural gas reserves shown in MMcf equivalents (MMcfe) at a rate of one MBbls per six MMcf.

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Laredo Petroleum, LLC

Assets acquired from Linn Energy Holdings, LLC,
Linn Operating, Inc., Mid-Continent I, LLC,
Mid-Continent II, LLC, and Linn Exploration Midcontinent, LLC

Notes to statement of revenues and direct operating expenses (Continued)

for the period from January 1, 2008 to August 14, 2008

D—Supplemental financial information for oil and natural gas producing activities (unaudited) (Continued)

2.    Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows relating to oil and natural gas reserves

        The standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows relating to proved oil and natural gas reserves is a disclosure requirement under Accounting Standards Codification Topic 932, "Extractive Industries—Oil and Gas and Oil and Gas Reserve Estimation and Disclosures."

        The standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows does not purport to be, nor should it be interpreted to present, the fair value of the oil and natural gas reserves of the property. An estimate of fair value would also take into account, among other things, the recovery of reserves not presently classified as proved, the value of unproved properties, and consideration of expected future economic and operating conditions.

        The estimates of future cash flows and future production and development costs are based on period end sales prices for oil and natural gas, estimated future production of proved reserves and estimated future production and development costs of proved reserves, based on current costs and economic conditions. Pricing used for reserves as of July 31, 2008 was $8.05 per MMBtu of natural gas and $121.17 per barrel of oil. The estimated future net cash flows are then discounted at a rate of 10%.

        The standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows relating to proved oil and natural gas reserves is as follows:

 
  July 31, 2008  

Future cash inflows

  $ 466,853,990  

Future production costs

    (65,934,094 )

Future development costs(1)

    (27,258,625 )
       

Future net cash flows

    373,661,271  

10% discount for estimated timing of cash flows

    (209,536,923 )
       

Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows

  $ 164,124,348  
       

(1)
Estimated future development costs, excluding abandonment, for proved undeveloped reserves are estimated to be $5.5 million, $14.1 million and $3.1 million and for August 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively

        In the foregoing determination of future cash inflows, sales prices for gas and oil were adjusted NYMEX prices at July 31, 2008. Future costs of developing and producing the proved gas and oil reserves shown were based on costs determined at July 31, 2008, assuming the continuation of existing economic conditions.

        It is not intended that the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows represent the fair market value of our proved reserves. The Company cautions that the disclosures shown are based

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Laredo Petroleum, LLC

Assets acquired from Linn Energy Holdings, LLC,
Linn Operating, Inc., Mid-Continent I, LLC,
Mid-Continent II, LLC, and Linn Exploration Midcontinent, LLC

Notes to statement of revenues and direct operating expenses (Continued)

for the period from January 1, 2008 to August 14, 2008

D—Supplemental financial information for oil and natural gas producing activities (unaudited) (Continued)


on estimates of proved reserve quantities and future production schedules which are inherently imprecise and subject to revision, and the 10% discount rate is arbitrary. In addition, costs and prices as of the measurement date are used in the determinations, and no value may be assigned to probable or possible reserves.

        Changes in the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows relating to proved oil and gas reserves are as follows:

 
  2008  

Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows beginning of period—January 1

  $ 122,947,300  

Changes in the year resulting from:

       
 

Sales, less production costs

    (19,470,094 )
 

Revisions of previous quantity estimates

    1,875,147  
 

Extensions, discoveries and improved recovery

    583,608  
 

Net change in prices and production costs

    42,571,176  
 

Changes in estimated development costs

    (868,378 )
 

Previously estimated development costs incurred during the period

    4,605,280  
 

Accretion of discount

    7,171,926  
 

Timing differences and other

    4,708,383  
       

Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows, end of period—July 31

  $ 164,124,348  
       

        Estimates of economically recoverable oil and natural gas reserves and of future net revenues are based upon a number of variable factors and assumptions, all of which are to some degree subjective and may vary considerably from actual results. Therefore, actual production, revenues, development and operating expenditures may not occur as estimated. The reserve data are estimates only, are subject to many uncertainties and are based on data gained from production histories and on assumptions as to geologic formations and other matters. Actual quantities of oil and natural gas may differ materially from the amounts estimated.

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