| Document and Entity Information - shares | 6 Months Ended | |
| Jun. 30, 2017 | Aug. 08, 2017 | |
| Document And Entity Information Abstract | ||
| Document Type | 10-Q | |
| Amendment Flag | false | |
| Document Period End Date | Jun. 30, 2017 | |
| Entity Registrant Name | Ridgewood Energy U Fund LLC | |
| Entity Central Index Key | 1,377,178 | |
| Current Fiscal Year End Date | --12-31 | |
| Document Fiscal Year Focus | 2,017 | |
| Document Fiscal Period Focus | Q2 | |
| Entity Filer Category | Smaller Reporting Company | |
| Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding | 486.4825 |
| UNAUDITED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Jun. 30, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 |
| Current assets: | ||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ 1,848 | $ 1,463 |
| Salvage fund | 117 | 117 |
| Production receivable | 485 | 361 |
| Other current assets | 25 | 22 |
| Total current assets | 2,475 | 1,963 |
| Salvage fund | 1,750 | 1,588 |
| Investment in Delta House | 119 | 119 |
| Oil and gas properties: | ||
| Proved properties | 11,134 | 11,143 |
| Less: accumulated depletion and amortization | (6,145) | (5,358) |
| Total oil and gas properties, net | 4,989 | 5,785 |
| Total assets | 9,333 | 9,455 |
| Current liabilities: | ||
| Due to operators | 217 | 265 |
| Accrued expenses | 53 | 59 |
| Asset retirement obligations | 117 | 117 |
| Total current liabilities | 387 | 441 |
| Asset retirement obligations | 1,362 | 1,349 |
| Total liabilities | 1,749 | 1,790 |
| Commitments and contingencies (Note 3) | ||
| Members' capital: | ||
| Distributions | (1,503) | (1,342) |
| Retained earnings | 422 | 161 |
| Manager's total | (1,081) | (1,181) |
| Capital contributions (1,000 shares authorized; 486.4825 issued and outstanding) | 72,381 | 72,381 |
| Syndication costs | (8,541) | (8,541) |
| Distributions | (10,804) | (9,895) |
| Accumulated deficit | (44,371) | (45,099) |
| Shareholders' total | 8,665 | 8,846 |
| Total members' capital | 7,584 | 7,665 |
| Total liabilities and members' capital | $ 9,333 | $ 9,455 |
| UNAUDITED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - shares | Jun. 30, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 |
| Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] | ||
| Shares authorized | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| Shares issued | 486.4825 | 486.4825 |
| Shares outstanding | 486.4825 | 486.4825 |
| UNAUDITED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended | ||
| Jun. 30, 2017 | Jun. 30, 2016 | Jun. 30, 2017 | Jun. 30, 2016 | |
| Revenue | ||||
| Oil and gas revenue | $ 1,428 | $ 1,123 | $ 2,788 | $ 2,066 |
| Expenses | ||||
| Depletion and amortization | 421 | 547 | 787 | 1,212 |
| Management fees to affiliate (Note 2) | 60 | 66 | 119 | 131 |
| Operating expenses | 377 | 693 | 823 | 1,535 |
| General and administrative expenses | 44 | 36 | 84 | 71 |
| Total expenses | 902 | 1,342 | 1,813 | 2,949 |
| Income (loss) from operations | 526 | (219) | 975 | (883) |
| Other income | ||||
| Dividend income | 4 | 66 | 12 | 123 |
| Interest income | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Total other income | 6 | 67 | 14 | 124 |
| Net income (loss) | 532 | (152) | 989 | (759) |
| Manager Interest | ||||
| Net income | 140 | 56 | 261 | 56 |
| Shareholder Interest | ||||
| Net income (loss) | $ 392 | $ (208) | $ 728 | $ (815) |
| Net income (loss) per share | $ 806 | $ (425) | $ 1,498 | $ (1,674) |
| UNAUDITED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 6 Months Ended | |
| Jun. 30, 2017 | Jun. 30, 2016 | |
| Cash flows from operating activities | ||
| Net income (loss) | $ 989 | $ (759) |
| Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: | ||
| Depletion and amortization | 787 | 1,212 |
| Accretion expense | 13 | |
| Changes in assets and liabilities: | ||
| (Increase) decrease in production receivable | (124) | 93 |
| Increase in other current assets | (3) | |
| (Decrease) increase in due to operators | (48) | 117 |
| (Decrease) increase in accrued expenses | (6) | 11 |
| Net cash provided by operating activities | 1,608 | 674 |
| Cash flows from investing activities | ||
| Credits (capital expenditures) for oil and gas properties | 9 | (5) |
| Increase in salvage fund | (162) | (236) |
| Net cash used in investing activities | (153) | (241) |
| Cash flows from financing activities | ||
| Distributions | (1,070) | (43) |
| Net cash used in financing activities | (1,070) | (43) |
| Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | 385 | 390 |
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 1,463 | 855 |
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ 1,848 | $ 1,245 |
| Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 6 Months Ended |
| Jun. 30, 2017 | |
| Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] | |
| Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 1. Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Organization The Ridgewood Energy U Fund, LLC (the “Fund”), a Delaware limited liability company, was formed on August 28, 2006 and operates pursuant to a limited liability company agreement (the “LLC Agreement”) dated as of October 1, 2006 by and among Ridgewood Energy Corporation (the “Manager”) and the shareholders of the Fund, which addresses matters such as the authority and voting rights of the Manager and shareholders, capitalization, transferability of membership interests, participation in costs and revenues, distribution of assets and dissolution and winding up. The Fund was organized to primarily acquire interests in oil and gas properties located in the United States offshore waters of Texas, Louisiana and Alabama in the Gulf of Mexico. The Manager has direct and Basis of Presentation These unaudited interim condensed financial statements have been prepared by the Fund’s management in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and in the opinion of management, contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the Fund’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted in these unaudited interim condensed financial statements. The results of operations, financial position, and cash flows for the periods presented herein are not necessarily indicative of future financial results. These unaudited interim condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s December 31, 2016 financial statements and notes thereto included in the Fund’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (“2016 Annual Report”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The year-end condensed balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2016, but does not include all annual disclosures required by GAAP. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reporting period. On an ongoing basis, the Manager reviews its estimates, including those related to the fair value of financial instruments, depletion and amortization, determination of proved reserves, impairment of long-lived assets and asset retirement obligations. Actual results may differ from those estimates. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies The Fund has provided discussion of significant accounting policies in Note 1 of “Notes to Financial Statements” – “Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” contained in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” within its 2016 Annual Report. There have been no significant changes to the Fund’s significant accounting policies during the three and six months ended June 30, 2017. Investment in Delta House The Fund has investments in Delta House Oil and Gas Lateral, LLC and Delta House FPS, LLC (collectively “Delta House”), legal entities that own interests in a deepwater floating production system operated by LLOG Exploration Company. The Fund accounts for its investment in Delta House using the cost method of accounting for investments as it does not have the ability to exercise significant influence over such investment. Under the cost method, the Fund recognizes an investment in the equity of an investee at cost. The Fund reviews its cost method investment for impairment at each reporting period and when an event or change in circumstances has occurred that may have a significant adverse effect on the fair value of the investment. Losses on cost method investments including impairments that are deemed to be other than temporary are classified as non-operating losses in the Fund’s statements of operations. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, there were no such events or changes in circumstances that indicate that the Fund’s investment in Delta House is impaired. Asset Retirement Obligations For oil and gas properties, there are obligations to perform removal and remediation activities when the properties are retired. Upon the determination that a property is either proved or dry, a retirement obligation is incurred. The Fund recognizes the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation in the period incurred. Plug and abandonment costs associated with unsuccessful projects are expensed as dry-hole costs. At least bi-annually, or more frequently if an event occurs that would dictate a change in assumptions or estimates underlying the obligations, the Fund reassesses its asset retirement obligations to determine whether any revisions to the obligations are necessary. The Fund maintains a salvage fund to provide for the funding of asset retirement obligations. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets The Fund reviews the carrying value of its oil and gas properties annually and when management determines that events and circumstances indicate that the recorded carrying value of properties may not be recoverable. Impairments are determined by comparing estimated future net undiscounted cash flows to the carrying value at the time of the review. If the carrying value exceeds the estimated future net undiscounted cash flows, the carrying value of the asset is written down to fair value, which is determined using estimated future net discounted cash flows from the asset. The fair value determinations require considerable judgment and are sensitive to change. Different pricing assumptions, reserve estimates or discount rates could result in a different calculated impairment. Given the volatility of oil and natural gas prices, it is reasonably possible that the Fund’s estimate of future net discounted cash flows from proved oil and natural gas reserves could change in the near term. Fluctuations in oil and natural gas prices may impact the fair value of the Fund’s oil and gas properties. If oil and natural gas prices decline, even if only for a short period of time, it is possible that impairments of oil and gas properties will occur. Recent Accounting Pronouncements In January 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued accounting guidance that requires, among other things, companies to measure investments in other entities, except those accounted for under the equity method, at fair value and recognize any changes in fair value in net income unless an election is made to record the investment at cost, less impairment and plus or minus subsequent adjustments for observable price changes with change in basis reported in current earnings. This pronouncement is effective for the Fund in the first quarter of 2018. Early adoption is not permitted. Based on the Fund’s initial assessment of the accounting guidance, the Fund currently does not expect it will have a material impact on its financial statements. In May 2014, the FASB issued accounting guidance on revenue recognition, which provides for a single five-step model to be applied to all revenue contracts with customers. In July 2015, the FASB issued a deferral of the effective date of the guidance to 2018, with early adoption permitted in 2017. In March 2016, the FASB issued accounting guidance, which clarifies the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations in the new revenue recognition standard. In April 2016, the FASB issued guidance on identifying performance obligations and licensing and in May 2016, the FASB issued final amendments which provided narrow scope improvements and practical expedients related to the implementation of the guidance. The accounting guidance may be applied either retrospectively or through the use of a modified-retrospective method. Based on the Fund’s initial assessment of the accounting guidance, the Fund currently does not expect it will have a material impact on its results of operations or cash flows in the period after adoption. Under the accounting guidance, revenue is recognized as control transfers to the customer, as such the Fund expects the application of the accounting guidance to its existing contracts to be generally consistent with its current revenue recognition model. The Fund is continuing to evaluate the provisions of this accounting guidance, as well as new or emerging interpretations, as it relates to new contracts the Fund receives and in particular as it relates to disclosure requirements through the date of adoption, which is January 1, 2018. |
| Related Parties | 6 Months Ended |
| Jun. 30, 2017 | |
| Related Party Transactions [Abstract] | |
| Related Parties | 2. Related Parties Pursuant to the terms of the LLC Agreement, the Manager is entitled to an annual management fee, payable monthly, of 2.5% of total capital contributions, net of cumulative dry-hole and related well costs incurred by the Fund. In addition, pursuant to the terms of the LLC Agreement, the Manager is also permitted to waive the management fee at its own discretion. Such fee may be temporarily waived to accommodate the Fund’s short-term capital commitments. In 2012, the Manager elected to reduce its management fee to 1% annually. Management fees during each of the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 were $0.1 million. The Manager is also entitled to receive a 15% interest in cash distributions from operations made by the Fund. Distributions paid to the Manager during the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 were $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively. The Fund did not pay distributions during the three months ended June 30, 2016. Distributions paid to the Manager during the six months ended June 30, 2016 were $7 thousand. In 2016, the Fund entered into a master agreement with DH Sales and Transport, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Manager, to facilitate the transportation and sale of oil and natural gas produced from the Diller and Marmalard projects. The Fund has provided discussion of this agreement in Note 2 of “Notes to Financial Statements” – “Related Parties” contained in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” within its 2016 Annual Report. At times, short-term payables and receivables, which do not bear interest, arise from transactions with affiliates in the ordinary course of business. The Fund has working interest ownership in certain projects to acquire and develop oil and natural gas projects, which are also owned by other entities that are likewise managed by the Manager. |
| Commitments and Contingencies | 6 Months Ended |
| Jun. 30, 2017 | |
| Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] | |
| Commitments and Contingencies | 3. Commitments and Contingencies Capital Commitments As of June 30, 2017, the Fund’s estimated capital commitments related to its oil and gas properties were $5.6 million (which include asset retirement obligations for the Fund’s projects of $2.5 million), of which $0.1 million is expected to be spent during the next twelve months. Based upon its current cash position and its current reserve estimates, the Fund expects cash flow from operations to be sufficient to cover its commitments as well as ongoing operations. Reserve estimates are projections based on engineering data that cannot be measured with precision, require substantial judgment, and are subject to frequent revision. Environmental and Governmental Regulations Many aspects of the oil and gas industry are subject to federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations. The Manager and operators of the Fund’s properties are continually taking action they believe appropriate to satisfy applicable federal, state and local environmental regulations. However, due to the significant public and governmental interest in environmental matters related to those activities, the Manager cannot predict the effects of possible future legislation, rule changes, or governmental or private claims. As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, there were no known environmental contingencies that required adjustment to, or disclosure in, the Fund’s financial statements. Oil and gas industry legislation and administrative regulations are periodically changed for a variety of political, economic, and other reasons. Any such future laws and regulations could result in increased compliance costs or additional operating restrictions, which could have a material adverse effect on the Fund’s operating results and cash flows. It is not possible at this time to predict whether such legislation or regulation, if proposed, will be adopted as initially written, if at all, or how legislation or new regulation that may be adopted would impact the Fund’s business. BOEM Notice to Lessees on Supplemental Bonding On July 14, 2016, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (“BOEM”) issued a Notice to Lessees (“NTL”) that discontinued and materially replaced existing policies and procedures regarding financial security (i.e. supplemental bonding) for decommissioning obligations of lessees of federal oil and gas leases and owners of pipeline rights-of-way, rights-of use and easements on the Outer Continental Shelf (“Lessees”). Generally, the new NTL (i) ended the practice of excusing Lessees from providing such additional security where co-lessees had sufficient financial strength to meet such decommissioning obligations, (ii) established new criteria for determining financial strength and additional security requirements of such Lessees, (iii) provided acceptable forms of such additional security and (iv) replaced the waiver system with one of self-insurance. The new rule became effective as of September 12, 2016; however on January 6, 2017, the BOEM announced that it was suspending the implementation timeline for six months in certain circumstances. On June 22, 2017, the BOEM announced that the implementation timeline extension will remain in effect pending the completion of its review of the new NTL. The Fund, as well as other industry participants, are working with the BOEM, its operators and working interest partners to determine and agree upon the correct level of decommissioning obligations to which they may be liable and the manner in which such obligations will be secured. The impact of the NTL, if enforced without change or amendment, may require the Fund to fully secure all of its potential abandonment liabilities to the BOEM’s satisfaction using one or more of the enumerated methods for doing so. Potentially this could increase costs to the Fund if the Fund is required to obtain additional supplemental bonding, fund escrow accounts or obtain letters of credit. Insurance Coverage The Fund is subject to all risks inherent in the oil and natural gas business. Insurance coverage as is customary for entities engaged in similar operations is maintained, but losses may occur from uninsurable risks or amounts in excess of existing insurance coverage. The occurrence of an event that is not insured or not fully insured could have a material adverse impact upon earnings and financial position. Moreover, insurance is obtained as a package covering all of the funds managed by the Manager. Depending on the extent, nature and payment of claims made by the Fund or other funds managed by the Manager, yearly insurance coverage may be exhausted and become insufficient to cover a claim by the Fund in a given year. |
| Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policy) | 6 Months Ended |
| Jun. 30, 2017 | |
| Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] | |
| Basis of Presentation | Basis of Presentation These unaudited interim condensed financial statements have been prepared by the Fund’s management in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and in the opinion of management, contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the Fund’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted in these unaudited interim condensed financial statements. The results of operations, financial position, and cash flows for the periods presented herein are not necessarily indicative of future financial results. These unaudited interim condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s December 31, 2016 financial statements and notes thereto included in the Fund’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (“2016 Annual Report”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The year-end condensed balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2016, but does not include all annual disclosures required by GAAP. |
| Use of Estimates | Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reporting period. On an ongoing basis, the Manager reviews its estimates, including those related to the fair value of financial instruments, depletion and amortization, determination of proved reserves, impairment of long-lived assets and asset retirement obligations. Actual results may differ from those estimates. |
| Investment in Delta House | Investment in Delta House The Fund has investments in Delta House Oil and Gas Lateral, LLC and Delta House FPS, LLC (collectively “Delta House”), legal entities that own interests in a deepwater floating production system operated by LLOG Exploration Company. The Fund accounts for its investment in Delta House using the cost method of accounting for investments as it does not have the ability to exercise significant influence over such investment. Under the cost method, the Fund recognizes an investment in the equity of an investee at cost. The Fund reviews its cost method investment for impairment at each reporting period and when an event or change in circumstances has occurred that may have a significant adverse effect on the fair value of the investment. Losses on cost method investments including impairments that are deemed to be other than temporary are classified as non-operating losses in the Fund’s statements of operations. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, there were no such events or changes in circumstances that indicate that the Fund’s investment in Delta House is impaired. |
| Asset Retirement Obligations | Asset Retirement Obligations For oil and gas properties, there are obligations to perform removal and remediation activities when the properties are retired. Upon the determination that a property is either proved or dry, a retirement obligation is incurred. The Fund recognizes the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation in the period incurred. Plug and abandonment costs associated with unsuccessful projects are expensed as dry-hole costs. At least bi-annually, or more frequently if an event occurs that would dictate a change in assumptions or estimates underlying the obligations, the Fund reassesses its asset retirement obligations to determine whether any revisions to the obligations are necessary. The Fund maintains a salvage fund to provide for the funding of asset retirement obligations. |
| Impairment of Long-Lived Assets | Impairment of Long-Lived Assets The Fund reviews the carrying value of its oil and gas properties annually and when management determines that events and circumstances indicate that the recorded carrying value of properties may not be recoverable. Impairments are determined by comparing estimated future net undiscounted cash flows to the carrying value at the time of the review. If the carrying value exceeds the estimated future net undiscounted cash flows, the carrying value of the asset is written down to fair value, which is determined using estimated future net discounted cash flows from the asset. The fair value determinations require considerable judgment and are sensitive to change. Different pricing assumptions, reserve estimates or discount rates could result in a different calculated impairment. Given the volatility of oil and natural gas prices, it is reasonably possible that the Fund’s estimate of future net discounted cash flows from proved oil and natural gas reserves could change in the near term. Fluctuations in oil and natural gas prices may impact the fair value of the Fund’s oil and gas properties. If oil and natural gas prices decline, even if only for a short period of time, it is possible that impairments of oil and gas properties will occur. |
| Recent Accounting Pronouncements | Recent Accounting Pronouncements In January 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued accounting guidance that requires, among other things, companies to measure investments in other entities, except those accounted for under the equity method, at fair value and recognize any changes in fair value in net income unless an election is made to record the investment at cost, less impairment and plus or minus subsequent adjustments for observable price changes with change in basis reported in current earnings. This pronouncement is effective for the Fund in the first quarter of 2018. Early adoption is not permitted. Based on the Fund’s initial assessment of the accounting guidance, the Fund currently does not expect it will have a material impact on its financial statements. In May 2014, the FASB issued accounting guidance on revenue recognition, which provides for a single five-step model to be applied to all revenue contracts with customers. In July 2015, the FASB issued a deferral of the effective date of the guidance to 2018, with early adoption permitted in 2017. In March 2016, the FASB issued accounting guidance, which clarifies the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations in the new revenue recognition standard. In April 2016, the FASB issued guidance on identifying performance obligations and licensing and in May 2016, the FASB issued final amendments which provided narrow scope improvements and practical expedients related to the implementation of the guidance. The accounting guidance may be applied either retrospectively or through the use of a modified-retrospective method. Based on the Fund’s initial assessment of the accounting guidance, the Fund currently does not expect it will have a material impact on its results of operations or cash flows in the period after adoption. Under the accounting guidance, revenue is recognized as control transfers to the customer, as such the Fund expects the application of the accounting guidance to its existing contracts to be generally consistent with its current revenue recognition model. The Fund is continuing to evaluate the provisions of this accounting guidance, as well as new or emerging interpretations, as it relates to new contracts the Fund receives and in particular as it relates to disclosure requirements through the date of adoption, which is January 1, 2018. |
| Related Parties (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended | ||||
| Jun. 30, 2017 | Jun. 30, 2016 | Jun. 30, 2017 | Jun. 30, 2016 | Oct. 01, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 | |
| Annual management fee percentage rate | 1.00% | 2.50% | ||||
| Annual management fees paid to Fund Manager | $ 60 | $ 66 | $ 119 | $ 131 | ||
| Percentage of total distributions allocated to Fund Manager | 15.00% | 15.00% | ||||
| Manager [Member] | ||||||
| Distributions | $ (100) | $ (200) | $ (7) | |||
| Commitments and Contingencies (Details) $ in Thousands | 6 Months Ended |
| Jun. 30, 2017USD ($) | |
| Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] | |
| Commitments for the drilling and development of investment properties | $ 5,600 |
| Commitments for asset retirement obligations included in estimated capital commitments | 2,500 |
| Commitments for the drilling and development of investment properties expected to be incurred in the next 12 months | $ 100 |
