Our income tax benefit for the and months ended was  million and  million, respectively.  During the months ended we reversed a liability related to an uncertain tax position that was effectively settled with the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS"), which resulted in a net tax benefit for the and months ended Our income tax expense for the and months ended was  million and  million, respectively.  Our effective tax rate was meaningful for the periods presented as we continue to record a full valuation allowance on net deferred tax assets.  

 

During the  months ended and we did receive any income tax refunds or make any income tax payments of significance.  

 

As of and our valuation allowance was million and million, respectively, related to net federal and state deferred tax assets.  Net deferred tax assets were recorded related to net operating loss, interest expense carryforwards and temporary differences between the book and tax basis of assets and liabilities expected to produce tax deductions in future periods.  The realization of these assets depends on recognition of sufficient future taxable income in specific tax jurisdictions in which those temporary differences are deductible.  In assessing the need for a valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets, we consider whether it is more likely than that some portion or all of them will be realized.

 

As of and we had current income taxes receivable of million, which primarily relates to our net operating loss carryback claims for the years and that were carried back to prior years.  These carryback claims were made pursuant to IRC Section (f) (related to rules regarding “specified liability losses”), which permits certain platform dismantlement, well abandonment and site clearance costs to be carried back years.  The refund claims required a review by the Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation, which was completed during the quarter of   We expect to receive the income tax refunds during the quarter of

 

The tax years through remain open to examination by the tax jurisdictions to which we are subject.