XML 31 R20.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.20.2
Commitments and Contingencies
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2020
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies

12. Contingencies

Brazilian Tax Issue

From 2002 to 2007, the Company’s Brazilian subsidiary imported goods through, and paid taxes on such imports to, the State of Espirito Santo in Brazil. Upon the final sale of these goods, the Company’s Brazilian subsidiary collected taxes from customers and remitted them to the State of Rio de Janeiro net of the taxes paid on importation of those goods to the State of Espirito Santo in accordance with the Company’s understanding of Brazilian tax laws.

In December 2010 and January 2011, the Company’s Brazilian subsidiary was served with two assessments totaling approximately $13.0 million from the State of Rio de Janeiro to cancel the credits associated with the tax payments to the State of Espirito Santo on the importation of goods from July 2005 to October 2007. The Company objected to these assessments on the grounds that they would represent double taxation on the importation of the same goods and that the Company is entitled to the credits under applicable Brazilian law. The Company’s Brazilian subsidiary filed appeals with a State of Rio de Janeiro judicial court to annul both of these tax assessments and deposited with the court approximately $8.8 million in December 2014 and December 2016 as the full amount of the assessments with penalties and interest. The first level judicial court has ruled against the Company in each of these cases and the Company has appealed both of those rulings. The Company believes that these credits are valid and that success in the judicial court process is probable despite the unfavorable rulings at the lower court level. Based upon this analysis, the Company has not accrued any liability in conjunction with this matter.

General

The Company operates its business and markets its products and services in most of the significant oil and gas producing areas in the world and is, therefore, subject to the risks customarily attendant to international operations and is dependent on the condition of the oil and gas industry. Additionally, certain of the Company’s products are used in potentially hazardous drilling, completion, and production applications that can cause personal injury, property damage and environmental claims. Although exposure to such risk has not resulted in any significant problems in the past, there can be no assurance that ongoing and future developments will not adversely impact the Company.

The Company is also involved in a number of legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. Although no assurance can be given with respect to the ultimate outcome of such legal action, in the opinion of management, the ultimate liability with respect thereto will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows.