Commitment and Contingencies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitment and Contingencies [Text Block]

The Company is involved in various commercial and regulatory claims, litigation and other legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of its business. In each reporting period, the Company assesses these claims in an effort to determine the degree of probability and range of possible loss for potential accrual in its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. In accordance with ASC 450, Contingencies, an accrual is recorded for a material loss contingency when its occurrence is probable and damages are reasonably estimable based on the anticipated most likely outcome or the minimum amount within a range of possible outcomes.

Legal proceedings are inherently unpredictable and unfavorable resolutions can occur. Assessing contingencies is highly subjective and requires judgment about uncertain future events. When evaluating contingencies related to legal proceedings, the Company may be unable to estimate losses due to a number of factors, including potential defenses, the procedural status of the matter in question, the presence of complex legal and/or factual issues, the ongoing discovery and/or development of information important to the matter.

Landowner Litigation – In October, 2017, the owners of certain surface and mineral interests in Martin and Andrews County, Texas filed suit against QEP, alleging QEP improperly used the surface of the properties and failed to correctly pay royalties, and are seeking money damages and a declaratory judgment that portions of the oil and gas leases covering the properties are no longer in effect. The Company continues to evaluate the allegations and its defenses. The Company is unable to make an estimate of the reasonably possible loss at this early stage.