Bad debt – Quarterly, we evaluate our accounts receivable balances to confirm collectability. When collectability is in doubt, we record an allowance against the accounts receivable and a corresponding income charge for bad debts, which appears in the “Bad debt expense and other” line item of the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The majority of our accounts receivable balances are with our joint venture partners and the government of Gabon for reimbursable Value-Added Tax (“VAT”). Collection efforts, including remedies provided for in the contracts, are pursued to collect overdue amounts owed to us. Portions of our costs in Gabon (including our VAT receivable) are denominated in the local currency of Gabon, the Central African CFA Franc (“XAF”). As of September 30, 2017, the outstanding VAT receivable balance, excluding the allowance for bad debt, was approximately XAF 20.5 billion (XAF 6.9 billion, net to VAALCO).  As of September 30, 2017, the exchange rate was XAF555.742 = $1.00.

In June 2016, we entered into an agreement with the government of Gabon to receive payments related to the outstanding VAT receivable balance, which was approximately XAF 16.3 billion (XAF 4.9 billion, net to VAALCO) as of December 31, 2015, in thirty-six monthly installments of $0.2 million, net to VAALCO. We received one monthly installment payment in July 2016; however, no further payments have been received. We are in discussions with the Gabonese government regarding the timing of the resumption of payments.  

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, we recorded allowances of $ (0.1) million and $0.2 million, respectively, related to VAT for which the government of Gabon has not reimbursed us.  For the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2016, we recorded allowances of $0.1 million and $0.6 million, respectively. The receivable amount, net of allowances, is reported as a non-current asset in the “Value added tax and other receivables” line item in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Because both the VAT receivable and the related allowances are denominated in XAF, the exchange rate revaluation of these balances into U.S. dollars at the end of each reporting period also has an impact on profit/loss. Such foreign currency gains (losses) are reported separately in the “Other, net” line item of the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

The following table provides a rollforward of the aggregate allowance: