Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

v2.4.1.9
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Certain of our assets and liabilities are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. For purposes of recording fair value adjustments for certain financial and non-financial assets and liabilities, and determining fair value disclosures, we estimate fair value at a price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants in the principal market for the asset or liability.
The fair value measurement and disclosure requirements of FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 820, Fair Value Measurement and Disclosures (ASC 820) requires inputs that we categorize using a three-level hierarchy, from highest to lowest level of observable inputs, as follows:
Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets;
Level 2 — Direct or indirect observable inputs, including quoted prices or other market data, for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or identical assets or liabilities in less active markets;
Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that require significant judgment for which there is little or no market data.
When multiple input levels are required for a valuation, we categorize the entire fair value measurement according to the lowest level of input that is significant to the entire measurement even though we may also have utilized significant inputs that are more readily observable. The amounts reported in our consolidated balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable approximate fair value.
Fair value of our debt instruments is determined using Level 2 inputs. Fair values and related carrying values of our debt instruments were as follows for the periods indicated: 
  
March 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Dollars in thousands
Carrying Amount
 
Fair Value
 
Carrying  Amount
 
Fair Value
Long-term Debt
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6.75% Notes
$
360,000

 
$
285,300

 
$
360,000

 
$
270,000

7.50% Notes
225,000

 
180,000

 
225,000

 
180,000

Total
$
585,000

 
$
465,300

 
$
585,000

 
$
450,000


Market conditions could cause an instrument to be reclassified from Level 1 to Level 2, or Level 2 to Level 3. There were no transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy or any changes in the valuation techniques used during the three months ended March 31, 2015.