Oil and natural gas production taxes. Production taxes as a percentage of oil and natural gas sales increased slightly to 4.8% for the six months ended June 30, 2022 compared to 4.6% for the same period in 2021. We expect these rates to stay relatively steady.
Depreciation, depletion and amortization. Our depreciation, depletion and amortization expense increased by $3,147,207 to $20,530,491 for the six months ended June 30, 2022, compared to $17,383,284 during the same period in 2021 due to higher 2022 production volumes. Average depreciation, depletion and amortization was $12.46 per Boe for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and $11.52 per Boe for the six months ended June 30, 2021.
Asset retirement obligation accretion. Accretion of AROs decreased $3,212 to $374,545 for the six months ended June 30, 2022, compared to $377,757 for the six months ended June 30, 2021 because of fewer wells added compared to those plugged and abandoned.
Operating lease expense. Operating lease expense decreased $189,127 to $167,180 for the six months ended June 30, 2022, compared to $356,307 for the six months ended June 30, 2021 due to the change in treatment of the compressor leases beginning April 1, 2021.
General and administrative expense. General and administrative expense increased to $11,354,579 for the six months ended June 30, 2022 compared to $6,670,143 for the six months ended June 30, 2021. Within this change, we isolate share-based compensation, which increased to $3,421,155 for the six months ended June 30, 2022 compared to $707,269 for the six months ended June 30, 2021, primarily as the result of grants of equity awards in 2021 and 2022 pursuant to the 2021 Plan. For the six months ended June 30, 2022, general and administrative expenses excluding share-based compensation were higher due to increased salaries and wages, insurance costs, and software costs. Hiring of 12 additional full-time employees in addition to awards under the AIP resulted in an increase of $1,187,507 in salaries and wages. Review of insurance coverages led to adjusting the coverage (i.e., cyber insurance, director & officer insurance) with a cost increase in total of $323,443. Other cost increases were $199,552 in acquisition-related costs, $177,533 in rent expenses due to the rent abatement for The Woodlands office for the first nine months of 2021, as well as various others.
| | | | | | |
| | For The Six Months |
| | Ended June 30, |
| | 2022 | | 2021 |
| | | | | | |
General and administrative expense (excluding Share-based compensation) | | $ | 7,933,424 | | $ | 5,962,874 |
Share-based compensation | | | 3,421,155 | | | 707,269 |
General and administrative expense | | $ | 11,354,579 | | $ | 6,670,143 |
Interest expense. Interest expense decreased $718,838 to $6,677,660 for the six months ended June 30, 2022, compared to $7,396,498 for the six months ended June 30, 2021 due to a $29.2 million lower average daily loan balance.
(Loss) on derivative contracts. In the Statements of Operations, the total loss on derivative contracts decreased by approximately 48%, from $66,865,879 for the six months ended June 30, 2021 to $35,053,159 for the six months ended June 30, 2022. Underlying this overall change in loss were changes within the realized and unrealized portions of the derivative instruments. We experienced an increase of $15,375,642 in realized losses from $18,357,124 during the six months ended June 30, 2021 to $33,732,766 during the six months ended June 30, 2022 due to an increase in oil prices. The Company records all derivative instruments on the Balance Sheets as either an asset or liability measured at fair value. Changes in fair value are recognized currently in earnings unless certain specific hedge accounting criteria are met. The unrealized (mark to market) loss decreased from $48,508,755 during the six months ended June 30, 2021 to $1,320,393 during the six months ended June 30, 2022 due to fewer barrels of oil being hedged, as well as newly entered into put contracts with an asset position, net of deferred premiums.
Net income (loss). For the six months ended June 30, 2022, the Company achieved net income of $49,056,465, compared to a net loss of $34,953,252 for the six months ended June 30, 2021. The primary difference was the higher sales volumes and revenue in 2022 compared to 2021 resulting from increased workovers and drilling activities, and the significantly higher oil prices in 2022, as well as a lower loss on derivative contracts due to fewer barrels of oil being hedged.