Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Devon and entities in which it holds a controlling interest. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated. Undivided interests in oil and natural gas exploration and production joint ventures are consolidated on a proportionate basis. Investments in non-controlled entities, over which Devon has the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies, are accounted for using the equity method. In applying the equity method of accounting, the investments are initially recognized at cost and subsequently adjusted for Devon’s proportionate share of earnings, losses and distributions. Investments accounted for using the equity method and cost method are reported as a component of other long-term assets.

As discussed more fully in Note 2, Devon completed a business combination in 2014 whereby Devon controls both EnLink and the General Partner. Devon controls both the General Partner’s and EnLink’s operations; therefore, the General Partner’s and EnLink’s accounts are included in Devon’s accompanying consolidated financial statements subsequent to the completion of the transaction. The portions of the General Partner’s and EnLink’s net earnings and stockholders’ equity not attributable to Devon’s controlling interest are shown separately as noncontrolling interests in the accompanying consolidated comprehensive statements of earnings and consolidated balance sheets.

Use Of Estimates

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual amounts could differ from these estimates, and changes in these estimates are recorded when known. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the following:

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proved reserves and related present value of future net revenues;

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the carrying value of oil and gas properties, midstream assets and product and equipment inventories;

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derivative financial instruments;

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the fair value of reporting units and related assessment of goodwill for impairment;

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the fair value of intangible assets other than goodwill;

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income taxes;

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asset retirement obligations;

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obligations related to employee pension and postretirement benefits;

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legal and environmental risks and exposures; and

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general credit risk associated with receivables and other assets.

Revenue Recognition

Oil, gas and NGL sales are recognized when production is sold to a purchaser at a fixed or determinable price, delivery has occurred, title has transferred and collectability of the revenue is probable. Delivery occurs and title typically is transferred when production has been delivered to a pipeline, railcar or truck. Cash received relating to future production is deferred and recognized when all revenue recognition criteria are met. Taxes assessed by governmental authorities on oil, gas and NGL sales are presented separately from such revenues in the accompanying consolidated comprehensive statements of earnings.

Marketing and midstream revenues are recorded at the time products are sold or services are provided to third parties at a fixed or determinable price, delivery or performance has occurred, title has transferred and collectability of the revenue is probable. Revenues and expenses attributable to oil, gas and NGL purchases, transportation and processing contracts are reported on a gross basis when Devon takes title to the products and has risks and rewards of ownership.

During 2016, 2015 and 2014, no purchaser accounted for more than 10% of Devon’s consolidated sales revenue.

Derivative Financial Instruments

Devon is exposed to certain risks relating to its ongoing business operations, including risks related to commodity prices, interest rates and Canadian to U.S. dollar exchange rates. As discussed more fully below, Devon uses derivative instruments primarily to manage commodity price risk, interest rate risk and foreign exchange risk. Devon does not intend to issue or hold derivative financial instruments for speculative trading purposes.

Devon enters into derivative financial instruments with respect to a portion of its oil, gas and NGL production to hedge future prices received. Additionally, Devon and EnLink periodically enter into derivative financial instruments with respect to a portion of their oil, gas and NGL marketing activities. These instruments are used to manage the inherent uncertainty of future revenues resulting from commodity price volatility. Devon’s derivative financial instruments typically include financial price swaps, basis swaps, costless price collars and call options. Under the terms of the price swaps, Devon receives a fixed price for its production and pays a variable market price to the contract counterparty. For the basis swaps, Devon receives a fixed differential between two regional index prices and pays a variable differential on the same two index prices to the contract counterparty. The price collars set a floor and ceiling price for the hedged production. If the applicable monthly price indices are outside of the ranges set by the floor and ceiling prices in the various collars, Devon will cash-settle the difference with the counterparty to the collars. The call options give counterparties the right to purchase production at a predetermined price.

Devon periodically enters into interest rate swaps to manage its exposure to interest rate volatility and foreign exchange forward contracts to manage its exposure to fluctuations in the U.S. and Canadian dollar exchange rates. As of December 31, 2016, Devon did not have any open foreign exchange contracts.

All derivative financial instruments are recognized at their current fair value as either assets or liabilities in the balance sheet. Changes in the fair value of these derivative financial instruments are recorded in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. For derivative financial instruments held during the three-year period ended December 31, 2016, Devon chose not to meet the necessary criteria to qualify its derivative financial instruments for hedge accounting treatment. Cash settlements with counterparties on Devon’s derivative financial instruments are also recorded in earnings. Cash settlements that Devon is entitled to are accrued for in other current assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. As of December 31, 2015, Devon accrued $236 million that it received in January 2016 related to cash settlements.

By using derivative financial instruments to hedge exposures to changes in commodity prices, interest rates and foreign currency rates, Devon is exposed to credit risk. Credit risk is the failure of the counterparty to perform under the terms of the derivative contract. To mitigate this risk, the hedging instruments are placed with a number of counterparties whom Devon believes are acceptable credit risks. It is Devon’s policy to enter into derivative contracts only with investment-grade rated counterparties deemed by management to be competent and competitive market makers. Additionally, Devon’s derivative contracts generally require cash collateral to be posted if either its or the counterparty’s credit rating falls below certain credit rating levels. As of December 31, 2016, Devon held no collateral from counterparties. As of December 31, 2015, Devon held $75 million of cash collateral, which represented the estimated fair value of certain derivative positions in excess of Devon’s credit guidelines. The collateral is reported in other current liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. As a result of ratings downgrades for Devon during 2016, we were required to post $17 million of cash collateral under certain of our derivative contracts. The collateral is reported in other current assets in the accompanying December 31, 2016 consolidated balance sheet. In January 2017, this collateral was deemed to be no longer required and was returned to Devon. As of the date of this report, Devon has no cash collateral held by its counterparties.

General And Administrative Expenses

General and Administrative Expenses

G&A is reported net of amounts reimbursed by working interest owners of the oil and gas properties operated by Devon and net of amounts capitalized pursuant to the full cost method of accounting.

Share-Based Compensation

Independent of EnLink, Devon grants share-based awards to members of its Board of Directors and select employees. EnLink and the General Partner also grant share-based awards to members of its Board of Directors and select employees. All such awards are measured at fair value on the date of grant and are generally recognized as a component of G&A in the accompanying consolidated comprehensive statements of earnings over the applicable requisite service periods. As a result of Devon’s restructuring activity discussed in Note 6, certain share-based awards were accelerated and recognized as a component of restructuring costs in the accompanying consolidated comprehensive statements of earnings.

Generally, Devon uses new shares from approved incentive programs to grant share-based awards and to issue shares upon stock option exercises. Shares repurchased under approved programs are available to be issued as part of Devon’s share-based awards. However, Devon has historically canceled these shares upon repurchase.

Income Taxes

Devon is subject to current income taxes assessed by the federal and various state jurisdictions in the U.S. and by other foreign jurisdictions. In addition, Devon accounts for deferred income taxes related to these jurisdictions using the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences and carryforwards are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

Deferred tax assets are also recognized for the future tax benefits attributable to the expected utilization of existing tax net operating loss carryforwards and other types of carryforwards. If the future utilization of some portion of the deferred tax assets is determined to be unlikely, a valuation allowance is provided to reduce the recorded tax benefits from such assets. Devon periodically weighs the positive and negative evidence to determine if it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will be realized. Forming a conclusion that a valuation allowance is not required is difficult when there is negative evidence, such as cumulative losses in recent years. See Note 7 for further discussion.

Devon does not recognize U.S. deferred income taxes on the unremitted earnings of its foreign subsidiaries that are deemed to be indefinitely reinvested. When such earnings are no longer deemed indefinitely reinvested, Devon recognizes the appropriate deferred, or even current, income tax liabilities.

Devon recognizes the financial statement effects of tax positions when it is more likely than not, based on the technical merits, that the position will be sustained upon examination by a taxing authority. Recognized tax positions are initially and subsequently measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is more likely than not of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority. Liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits related to such tax positions are included in other long-term liabilities unless the tax position is expected to be settled within the upcoming year, in which case the liabilities are included in other current liabilities. Interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits are included in current income tax expense.

Devon estimates its annual effective income tax rate in recording its provision for income taxes in the various jurisdictions in which it operates. Statutory tax rate changes and other significant or unusual items are recognized as discrete items in the period in which they occur.

Net Earnings (Loss) Per Share Attributable To Devon

Net Earnings (Loss) Per Share Attributable to Devon

Devon’s basic earnings per share amounts have been computed based on the average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period. Basic earnings per share includes the effect of participating securities, which primarily consist of Devon’s outstanding restricted stock awards, as well as performance-based restricted stock awards that have met the requisite performance targets. Diluted earnings per share is calculated using the treasury stock method to reflect the assumed issuance of common shares for all potentially dilutive securities. Such securities primarily consist of outstanding stock options.

Cash And Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Devon considers all highly liquid investments with original contractual maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Accounts Receivable

Devon’s accounts receivable balance primarily consists of oil and gas sales receivables, marketing and midstream revenue receivables and joint interest receivables for which Devon does not require collateral security. Devon has established an allowance for bad debts equal to the estimable portions of accounts receivable for which failure to collect is considered probable. When a portion of the receivable is deemed uncollectible, the write-off is made against the allowance.

Property And Equipment

Property and Equipment

Devon follows the full cost method of accounting for its oil and gas properties. Accordingly, all costs incidental to the acquisition, exploration and development of oil and gas properties, including costs of undeveloped leasehold, dry holes and leasehold equipment, are capitalized. Internal costs incurred that are directly identified with acquisition, exploration and development activities undertaken by Devon for its own account, and that are not related to production, general corporate overhead or similar activities, are also capitalized. Interest costs incurred and attributable to unproved oil and gas properties under current evaluation and major development projects of oil and gas properties are also capitalized. All costs related to production activities, including workover costs incurred solely to maintain or increase levels of production from an existing completion interval, are charged to expense as incurred.

Capitalized costs are depleted by an equivalent unit-of-production method, converting gas to oil at the ratio of six Mcf of gas to one Bbl of oil. Depletion is calculated using the capitalized costs, including estimated asset retirement costs, plus the estimated future expenditures (based on current costs) to be incurred in developing proved reserves, net of estimated salvage values.

Costs associated with unproved properties are excluded from the depletion calculation until it is determined whether or not proved reserves can be assigned to such properties. Devon assesses its unproved properties for impairment quarterly. Significant unproved properties are assessed individually. Costs of insignificant unproved properties are transferred into the depletion calculation over their respective holding periods generally ranging from three to four years.

Sales or dispositions of oil and gas properties are generally accounted for as adjustments to capitalized costs with no gain or loss recognized. However, if a disposition or series of dispositions occurring in a quarterly reporting period significantly alters the relationship between capitalized costs and proved reserves in a particular country, a gain or loss is recognized. As discussed more fully in Note 2, the 2014 and 2016 divestitures of certain Canadian and U.S. non-core upstream assets significantly altered such relationship, and Devon recognized gains on these transactions. These gains are classified as asset dispositions and other in the accompanying consolidated statements of earnings. Furthermore, upon recognizing the gain on the 2016 divestitures and to be more consistent with industry practice, Devon began presenting gains on asset sales in the total revenues and other section of the accompanying consolidated statements of earnings, and has reclassified the 2014 gain on asset sales of $1.1 billion from operating expenses to total revenues and other to reflect consistent financial statement presentation.

Under the full cost method of accounting, capitalized costs of oil and gas properties, net of accumulated DD&A and deferred income taxes, may not exceed the full cost “ceiling” at the end of each quarter. The ceiling is calculated separately for each country and is based on the present value of estimated future net cash flows from proved oil and gas reserves, discounted at 10% per annum, net of related tax effects. The estimated future net revenues exclude future cash outflows associated with settling asset retirement obligations included in the net book value of oil and gas properties.

Estimated future net cash flows are calculated using end-of-period costs and an unweighted arithmetic average of commodity prices in effect on the first day of each of the previous 12 months. Prices are held constant indefinitely and are not changed except where different prices are fixed and determinable from applicable contracts for the remaining term of those contracts, including derivative contracts in place that qualify for hedge accounting treatment. None of Devon’s derivative contracts held during the three-year period ended December 31, 2016 qualified for hedge accounting treatment.

Any excess of the net book value, less related deferred taxes, over the ceiling is written off as an expense. An expense recorded in one period may not be reversed in a subsequent period even though higher commodity prices may have increased the ceiling applicable to the subsequent period.

Costs for midstream assets that are in use are depreciated over the assets’ estimated useful lives, using either the unit-of-production or straight-line method. Depreciation and amortization of other property and equipment, including corporate and leasehold improvements, are provided using the straight-line method based on estimated useful lives ranging from three to 60 years. Interest costs incurred and attributable to major midstream and corporate construction projects are also capitalized.

Devon recognizes liabilities for retirement obligations associated with tangible long-lived assets, such as producing well sites and midstream pipelines and processing plants when there is a legal obligation associated with the retirement of such assets and the amount can be reasonably estimated. The initial measurement of an asset retirement obligation is recorded as a liability at its fair value, with an offsetting asset retirement cost recorded as an increase to the associated property and equipment on the consolidated balance sheet. When the assumptions used to estimate a recorded asset retirement obligation change, a revision is recorded to both the asset retirement obligation and the asset retirement cost. Devon’s asset retirement obligations include estimated environmental remediation costs which arise from normal operations and are associated with the retirement of such long-lived assets. The asset retirement cost is depreciated using a systematic and rational method similar to that used for the associated property and equipment.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of business combinations over the fair value of the net assets acquired and is tested for impairment annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances dictate that the carrying value of goodwill may not be recoverable. Such test includes an assessment of qualitative and quantitative factors. The impairment test requires allocating goodwill and all other assets and liabilities to assigned reporting units. The fair value of each reporting unit is estimated and compared to the net book value of the reporting unit. If the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is less than the net book value, including goodwill, then the goodwill is written down to the implied fair value of the goodwill through a charge to expense. Because quoted market prices are not available for Devon’s reporting units, the fair values of the reporting units are estimated based upon several valuation analyses, including comparable companies, comparable transactions and premiums paid.

Devon and EnLink performed annual impairment tests of goodwill in the fourth quarters of 2016, 2015 and 2014. No impairment write-down was required as a result of the annual tests in 2016; however, sustained weakness in the overall energy sector driven by low commodity prices, together with a decline in the EnLink unit price, caused a change in circumstances warranting an interim impairment test and write-down for certain of EnLink’s reporting units in the first quarter of 2016. Write-downs were also required in 2015 for certain EnLink reporting units and in 2014 for Devon’s Canadian reporting unit based on interim and annual impairment tests. See Note 12 for further discussion.

Intangible Assets

Unamortized capitalized intangible assets, consisting of EnLink customer relationships, are presented in other long-term assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. These assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the expected periods of benefits, which range from 10-20 years. During 2016 and 2015, EnLink’s customer relationships were also evaluated for impairment, and in 2015, a portion of these intangible assets was considered impaired. See Note 12 for further discussion.

Commitments And Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies

Liabilities for loss contingencies arising from claims, assessments, litigation or other sources are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Liabilities for environmental remediation or restoration claims resulting from improper operation of assets are recorded when it is probable that obligations have been incurred and the amounts can be reasonably estimated. Expenditures related to such environmental matters are expensed or capitalized in accordance with Devon’s accounting policy for property and equipment.

Devon is party to various legal actions arising in the normal course of business. Matters that are probable of unfavorable outcome to Devon and which can be reasonably estimated are accrued. Such accruals are based on information known about the matters, Devon’s estimates of the outcomes of such matters and its experience in contesting, litigating and settling similar matters. None of the actions are believed by management to involve future amounts that would be material to Devon’s financial position or results of operations after consideration of recorded accruals. Actual amounts could differ materially from management’s estimates.

Fair Value Measurements

Certain of Devon’s assets and liabilities are measured at fair value at each reporting date. Fair value represents the price that would be received to sell the asset or paid to transfer the liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. This price is commonly referred to as the “exit price.” Fair value measurements are classified according to a hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs underlying the valuation techniques. This hierarchy consists of three broad levels:

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Level 1 – Inputs consist of unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities and have the highest priority. When available, Devon measures fair value using Level 1 inputs because they generally provide the most reliable evidence of fair value.

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Level 2 – Inputs consist of quoted prices that are generally observable for the asset or liability. Common examples of Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in markets not considered to be active.

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Level 3 – Inputs are not observable from objective sources and have the lowest priority. The most common Level 3 fair value measurement is an internally developed cash flow model.

Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments

The U.S. dollar is the functional currency for Devon’s consolidated operations except its Canadian subsidiaries, which use the Canadian dollar as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities of the Canadian subsidiaries are translated to U.S. dollars using the applicable exchange rate as of the end of a reporting period. Revenues, expenses and cash flow are translated using an average exchange rate during the reporting period. Translation adjustments have no effect on net income and are included in accumulated other comprehensive earnings in stockholders’ equity.

Noncontrolling Interests

Noncontrolling interests represent third-party ownership in the net assets of Devon’s consolidated subsidiaries and are presented as a component of equity. Changes in Devon’s ownership interests in subsidiaries that do not result in deconsolidation are recognized in equity.

Recent Accounting Standards

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In January 2016, Devon adopted ASU 2015-03, Interest – Imputation of Interest (Topic 835): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. This ASU requires debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability to be presented on the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability rather than as an asset. As a result of the adoption, Devon reclassified unamortized debt issuance costs of $81 million as of December 31, 2015 from other long-term assets to a reduction of long-term debt on the consolidated balance sheets.

The FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. Its objective is to clarify guidance and eliminate diversity in practice of classification on certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows. Devon early adopted this ASU as of September 30, 2016 using a retrospective transition method. As a result of the adoption, Devon has classified $265 million of debt retirement payments as cash flows from financing activities in the accompanying 2016 consolidated statement of cash flows and has reclassified $40 million of debt retirement payments previously classified as cash flows from operating activities to cash flows from financing activities in the accompanying 2014 consolidated statement of cash flows.

The FASB issued ASU 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements – Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosures of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern. Its objective is to provide guidance about management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. Certain disclosures are required should substantial doubt exist. This evaluation is performed each annual and interim reporting period to assess conditions or events within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. This ASU was effective for Devon beginning December 31, 2016; however, no additional disclosures as contemplated by this ASU were warranted.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

The FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). This ASU will supersede the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition and industry-specific guidance in Subtopic 932-605, Extractive Activities – Oil and Gas – Revenue Recognition. This ASU provides guidance concerning the recognition and measurement of revenue from contracts with customers. Its objective is to increase the usefulness of information in the financial statements regarding the nature, timing and uncertainty of revenues. The effective date for ASU 2014-09 was delayed through the issuance of ASU 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers – Deferral of the Effective Date, to annual and interim periods beginning in 2018, with early adoption permitted in 2017. The ASU is required to be adopted using either the retrospective transition method, which requires restating previously reported results or the cumulative effect (modified retrospective) transition method, which utilizes a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings in the period of adoption to account for prior period effects rather than restating previously reported results. Devon intends to use the cumulative effect transition method. Based on current evaluations to-date, Devon does not anticipate this ASU will have a material impact on its balance sheet or related consolidated statement of earnings, stockholders’ equity or cash flows. Devon is continuing to evaluate the disclosure requirements of this ASU and has begun transitioning to the implementation phase of the adoption. Devon does not plan on early adopting this ASU.

The FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). This ASU will supersede the lease requirements in Topic 840, Leases. Its objective is to increase transparency and comparability among organizations. This ASU provides guidance requiring lessees to recognize most leases on their balance sheet. Lessor accounting does not significantly change, except for some changes made to align with new revenue recognition requirements. This ASU is effective for Devon beginning January 1, 2019 and will be applied using a modified retrospective transition method, which requires applying the new guidance to leases that exist or are entered into after the beginning of the earliest period in the financial statements. Early adoption is permitted. Devon is continuing to evaluate the impact this ASU will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures and does not plan on early adopting.

The FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. Its objective is to simplify several aspects of the accounting for share-based payments, and associated income taxes, statutory withholding and forfeitures. Classification of these aspects on the statement of cash flows is also addressed. Devon adopted this ASU as of January 1, 2017. For recording periods following adoption, Devon will make certain income tax presentation changes, most notably prospectively presenting excess tax benefits as income tax expense in the consolidated comprehensive statements of earnings and as operating cash flows in the consolidated statements of cash flows. While Devon does not expect that these changes will materially impact its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, the adoption of this ASU could result in increased volatility in income tax expense and net earnings in Devon’s financial statements.

The FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Credit Losses, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. This ASU changes how entities will measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that are not measured at fair value through net income. The standard will replace today’s incurred loss approach with an expected loss model for instruments measured at amortized cost. Entities will apply the standard’s provisions as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective. This ASU is effective for Devon beginning January 1, 2020, with early adoption permitted. Devon is evaluating the impact this ASU will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.