Realized loss from Derivative Instruments. Realized loss on derivatives for the three months ended June 30, 2018 was $2,402,426. There was no realized gain or loss on derivatives during the three months ended June 30, 2019.
Unrealized loss from Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. The Company records all derivative instruments, other than those that meet the normal purchases and sales exception, on the balance sheet as either an asset or liability measured at fair value. Changes in fair value are recognized currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. During the three months ended June 30, 2019, the change in fair value resulted in the recognition of a gain of $1,530,230 on derivative contracts as compared to a loss of $1,099,273 during the same period in 2018.
General and administrative expenses. General and administrative expense increased $1,591,896 to $4,743,127 for the three months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to $3,151,231 for the three months ended June 30, 2018. Compensation related costs make up the bulk of our general and administrative expense.
Net income. For the three months ended June 30, 2019, the Company had net income of $12,375,256, as compared to $4,719,806 for the three months ended June 30, 2018. The increase in net income primarily resulted from increased revenues as a result of the Acquisition.
Results of Operations – For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 and 2018
Oil and natural gas sales. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, oil and natural gas sales revenue increased $33,316,266 to $93,132,540, compared to $59,816,274 for the same period during 2018, primarily as a result of the Acquisition.
Oil sales increased $33,568,410 and natural gas sales decreased $252,144. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, oil sales volume increased 756,558 barrels to 1,705,868 barrels, compared to 949,310 barrels for the same period in 2018. The average realized per barrel of oil price decreased 12% from $61.21 for the six months ended June 30, 2018, to $53.74 for the six months ended June 30, 2019. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, gas sales volume increased 436,659 thousand cubic feet (MCF) to 965,746 MCF, compared to 529,087 MCF for the same period in 2018. The average realized natural gas price per MCF decreased 53% from $3.24 for the six months ended June 30, 2018, to $1.51 for the six months ended June 30, 2019.
Oil and gas production costs. Our lease operating expenses (LOE) increased from $12,420,223 or $11.97 per barrel of oil equivalent (BOE) for the six months ended June 30, 2018, to $20,977,873 or $11.24 per BOE for the six months ended June 30, 2019. The increase in total LOE is the result of both increased production between the periods and the Acquisition. The decrease in the per BOE rate is primarily a result of the Acquisition.
Production taxes. Production taxes as a percentage of oil and natural gas sales were 5% during the six months ended June 30, 2018 and remained steady at 5% for the six months ended June 30, 2019. These rates are expected to stay relatively steady unless we make acquisitions in other states with differing production tax rates or the states of Texas or New Mexico change their production tax rates.
Depreciation, depletion, amortization and accretion. Our depreciation, depletion, amortization and accretion expense increased by $10,018,219 to $27,989,503 for the six months ended June 30, 2019, compared to $17,971,284 during the same period in 2018. The increase was primarily a result of higher production volumes as a result of the Acquisition.
Realized loss from Derivative Instruments. Realized loss on derivatives for the six months ended June 30, 2018 was $3,877,452. There was no realized gain or loss on derivatives during the six months ended June 30, 2019.
Unrealized loss from Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. The Company records all derivative instruments, other than those that meet the normal purchases and sales exception, on the balance sheet as either an asset or liability measured at fair value. Changes in fair value are recognized currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. During the six months ended June 30, 2019, the change in fair value resulted in the recognition of a gain of $1,189,545 on derivative contracts as compared to a loss of $1,889,974 during the same period in 2018.