Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Nature of Business [Text Block]

Nature of Business

QEP Resources, Inc. (QEP or the Company) is an independent crude oil and natural gas exploration and production company with operations in two regions of the United States: the Southern Region (primarily in Texas) and the Northern Region (primarily in North Dakota). In January 2019, the Company sold its Haynesville/Cotton Valley assets in Louisiana and in February 2019, the Company announced the termination of the purchase and sale agreement related to its Williston Basin assets in North Dakota. In 2019, QEP's Board of Directors commenced and completed a comprehensive review of strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value and determined that the best alternative for QEP's shareholders was to move forward as an independent company. Unless otherwise specified or the context otherwise requires, all references to "QEP" or the "Company" are to QEP Resources, Inc. and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. QEP's corporate headquarters are located in Denver, Colorado and shares of QEP's common stock trade on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker symbol "QEP".

Principles of Consolidation [Policy Text Block]

Principles of Consolidation

The Consolidated Financial Statements contain the accounts of QEP and its majority-owned or controlled subsidiaries. The Consolidated Financial Statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP and with the instructions for annual reports on Form 10-K and Regulation S-X. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

All dollar and share amounts in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are in millions, except per share information and where otherwise noted.

Segment Reporting, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Business Segments

QEP conducted a segment analysis in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 280, Segment Reporting, and determined that QEP has one reportable segment.

Reclassifications [Policy Text Block]

Reclassifications

Certain prior period balances on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. Such reclassifications had no effect on the Company's net income (loss), earnings (loss) per share or retained earnings previously reported.

Use of Estimates [Policy Text Block]

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes in conformity with GAAP requires that management formulate estimates and assumptions that affect revenues, expenses, assets, liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. A significant item that requires management's estimates and assumptions is the estimate of proved oil and condensate, gas and NGL reserves, which are used in the calculation of depreciation, depletion and amortization rates of its oil and gas properties, impairment of proved properties and asset retirement obligations. Changes in estimated quantities of its reserves could impact the Company's reported financial results as well as disclosures regarding the quantities and value of proved oil and gas reserves. Other items subject to estimates and assumptions include the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment, assigning fair value and allocating purchase price in connection with business combinations, valuation allowances for receivables, income taxes, valuation of derivatives instruments, contingencies, accrued liabilities, accrued revenue and related receivables and obligations related to employee benefits, among others. Although management believes these estimates are reasonable, actual results could differ from these estimates.

Risks And Uncertainties [Policy Text Block]

Risks and Uncertainties

The Company's revenue, profitability and future growth are substantially dependent upon the prevailing and future prices for oil, gas and NGL, which are affected by many factors outside of QEP's control, including changes in market supply and demand. Changes in market supply and demand are impacted by weather conditions, pipeline capacity constraints, inventory storage levels, basis differentials, export capacity, strength of the U.S. dollar and other factors. Field-level prices received for QEP's oil and gas production have historically been volatile and may be subject to significant fluctuations in the future. The Company's derivative contracts serve to mitigate in part the effect of this price volatility on the Company's cash flows, and the Company has derivative contracts in place for a portion of its expected future oil and condensate production. Refer to Note 7 – Derivative Contracts for the Company's open oil commodity derivative contracts.

Revenue Recognition [Policy Text Block]

Revenue Recognition

QEP recognizes revenue from the sale of oil and condensate, gas and NGL in the period that the performance obligations are satisfied. QEP's performance obligations are satisfied when the customer obtains control of product, when QEP has no further obligations to perform related to the sale, when the transaction price has been determined and when collectability is probable. The sale of oil and condensate, gas and NGL are made under contracts with customers, which typically include consideration that is based on pricing tied to local indices and volumes delivered in the current month. Reported revenues include estimates for the two most recent months using published commodity price indices and volumes supplied by field operators. Performance obligations under our contracts with customers are typically satisfied at a point in time through monthly delivery of oil and condensate, gas and/or NGL. Our contracts with customers typically require payment for oil and condensate, gas and NGL sales within 30 days following the calendar month of delivery.

QEP's oil and condensate is typically sold at specific delivery points under contract terms that are common in the industry. QEP's gas and NGL are also sold under contract types that are common in the industry; however, under these contracts, the gas and its components, including NGL, may be sold to a single purchaser or the residue gas and NGL may be sold to separate purchasers. Regardless of the contract type, the terms of these contracts compensate QEP for the value of the residue gas and NGL constituent components at market prices for each product. QEP also purchases and resells oil and gas primarily to mitigate credit risk related to third party purchasers, to fulfill volume commitments when production does not fulfill contractual commitments and to capture additional margin from subsequent sales of third party purchases. QEP recognizes revenue from these resale activities in the period that the performance obligations are satisfied.

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash [Policy Text Block]

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

Cash equivalents consist principally of highly liquid investments in securities with original maturities of three months or less made through commercial bank accounts that result in available funds the next business day. Restricted cash are funds that are legally or contractually reserved for a specific purpose and therefore not available for immediate or general business use.

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the Consolidated Balance Sheets to the amounts shown in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:

	December 31,
	2019		2018
	(in millions)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	166.3	$	—
Restricted cash(1)	30.1		28.1
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	$	196.4	$	28.1

_______________________

⁽¹⁾  As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the restricted cash balance related to cash deposited into an escrow account for a title dispute between outside parties in the Williston Basin, and the restricted cash balance is recorded within "Other noncurrent assets" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Supplemental cash flow information is shown in the table below:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2019			2018			2017
Supplemental Disclosures:	(in millions)
Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest	$	126.9		$	136.9		$	134.9
Cash paid (refund received) for income taxes, net	$	(66.7	)	$	0.8		$	(0.3	)
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities	$	25.3		$	—		$	—
Non-cash Operating Activities:
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease obligations	16.6			—			—
Non-cash Investing Activities:
Change in capital expenditure accrual balance	$	8.8		$	(57.4	)	$	60.2

Accounts Receivable [Policy Text Block]

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable consists mainly of receivables from oil and gas purchasers and joint interest owners on properties the Company operates. For receivables from joint interest owners, the Company has the ability to withhold future revenue disbursements to recover any non-payment of joint interest billings. Generally, the Company's oil and gas receivables are collected and bad debts are minimal. However, if commodity prices remain low for an extended period of time, the Company could incur increased levels of bad debt expense. Bad debt expense associated with accounts receivable for the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 was $0.3 million and $0.6 million, respectively. Recovery of bad debt associated with accounts receivable for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $1.0 million. Bad debt expense or recovery is included in "General and administrative" expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company routinely assesses the recoverability of all material trade and other receivables to determine their collectability. The allowance for bad debt expenses was $1.6 million at December 31, 2019, and $1.3 million at December 31, 2018.

Property, Plant and Equipment [Policy Text Block]

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment balances are stated at historical cost. Material and supplies inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Maintenance and repair costs are expensed as incurred. Significant accounting policies for our property, plant and equipment are as follows:

Successful Efforts Accounting for Oil and Gas Operations

The Company follows the successful efforts method of accounting for oil and gas property acquisitions, exploration, development and production activities. Under this method, the acquisition costs of proved and unproved properties, successful exploratory wells and development wells are capitalized. Other exploration costs, including geological and geophysical costs, delay rentals and administrative costs associated with unproved property and unsuccessful exploratory well costs are expensed. Costs to operate and maintain wells and field equipment are expensed as incurred. A gain or loss is generally recognized only when an entire field is sold or abandoned, or if the unit-of-production depreciation, depletion and amortization rate would be significantly affected. Capitalized costs of unproved properties are reclassified to proved property when related proved reserves are determined or charged against the impairment allowance when abandoned.

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization (DD&A)

Capitalized proved leasehold costs are depleted on a field-by-field basis using the unit-of-production method and the estimated total proved oil and gas reserves. Capitalized costs of exploratory wells that have found proved oil and gas reserves and capitalized development costs are depreciated using the unit-of-production method based on estimated proved developed reserves for a successful effort field. The Company capitalizes an estimate of the fair value of future abandonment costs.

DD&A for the Company's remaining properties is generally based upon rates that will systematically charge the costs of assets against income over the estimated useful lives of those assets using the straight-line method. The estimated useful lives of those assets depreciated under the straight-line basis generally range as follows:

Buildings	10 to 30 years
Leasehold improvements	3 to 10 years
Service, transportation and field service equipment	3 to 7 years
Furniture and office equipment	3 to 7 years

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Proved oil and gas properties are evaluated on a field-by-field basis for potential impairment. Other properties are evaluated on a specific asset basis or in groups of similar assets, as applicable. Impairment is indicated when a triggering event occurs and/or the sum of the estimated undiscounted future net cash flows of an evaluated asset is less than the asset's carrying value. Triggering events could include, but are not limited to, a reduction of oil and condensate, gas and NGL reserves caused by mechanical problems, faster-than-expected decline of production, lease ownership issues, potential disposition of assets and declines in oil, gas and NGL prices. If impairment is indicated, fair value is estimated using a discounted cash flow approach. Cash flow estimates require forecasts and assumptions for many years into the future for a variety of factors, including estimates of future production, future commodity prices, future operating costs and future development costs. The signing of a purchase and sale agreement could also cause the Company to recognize an impairment of proved properties. For assets subject to a purchase and sale agreement, the terms of the purchase and sale agreement are used as an indicator of fair value. If a range is estimated for the amount of possible future cash flows, the fair value of property is measured utilizing a probability-weighted approach in which the likelihood of possible outcomes is taken into consideration. Cash flow estimates relating to future cash flows from probable and possible reserves are reduced by additional risk-weighting factors.

Unproved properties are evaluated on a specific asset basis or in groups of similar assets, as applicable. The Company performs periodic assessments of unproved oil and gas properties for impairment and recognizes a loss at the time of impairment. In determining whether an unproved property is impaired, the Company considers numerous factors including, but not limited to, current development and exploration drilling plans, favorable or unfavorable exploration activity on adjacent leaseholds, in-house geologists' evaluation of the lease, future reserve cash flows and the remaining lease term.

During the year ended December 31, 2019, QEP recorded impairment charges of $5.0 million related to an office building lease.

During the year ended December 31, 2018, QEP recorded impairment charges of $1,560.9 million, of which $1,559.3 million related to proved and unproved properties impairment as a result of signing purchase and sale agreements for the divestitures of the Williston Basin and Uinta Basin assets. The Williston Basin assets were impaired in the fourth quarter utilizing a probability-weighted assets held and use model, and the Uinta Basin assets were impaired in the second quarter utilizing an assets held for sale model.

During the year ended December 31, 2017, QEP recorded impairment charges of $78.9 million, of which $38.1 million, primarily in the Other Northern area, was related to proved properties due to lower future gas prices, $29.0 million was primarily related to unproved leasehold acreage in the Central Basin Platform (refer to Note 4 – Capitalized Exploratory Well Costs for more information), $6.5 million was related to the impairment of an underground gas storage facility and $5.3 million was related to the impairment of goodwill.

Asset Retirement Obligations (ARO)

QEP is obligated to fund the costs of disposing of long-lived assets upon their abandonment. The Company's ARO liability applies primarily to abandonment costs associated with oil and gas wells and certain other properties. ARO associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets are recognized as liabilities with an increase to the carrying amounts of the related long-lived assets in the period incurred. The cost of the tangible asset, including the asset retirement costs, is depreciated over the useful life of the asset. The ARO liability is recorded at estimated fair value, measured by reference to the expected future cash outflows required to satisfy the retirement obligations discounted at the Company's credit-adjusted risk-free interest rate. Accretion expense is recognized over time as the discounted liabilities are accreted to their expected settlement value. If estimated future costs of ARO change, an adjustment is recorded to both the ARO liability and the long-lived asset. Revisions to estimated ARO can result from changes in retirement cost estimates, revisions to estimated inflation rates and changes in the estimated timing of abandonment. Refer to Note 5 – Asset Retirement Obligations for more information.

Goodwill [Policy Text Block]

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the amount paid over the fair value of assets acquired in a business combination and is not subject to amortization. QEP performs an annual goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carry amount, with an impairment charge being recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit's fair value. QEP determines the fair value of its reporting units in which goodwill is allocated using the income approach in which the fair value is estimated based on the value of expected future cash flows. Key assumptions used in the cash flow model include estimated quantities of oil and condensate, gas and NGL reserves, including both proved reserves and risk-adjusted unproved reserves, and including probable and possible reserves; estimates of market prices considering forward commodity price curves as of the measurement date; estimates of revenue and operating costs over a multi-year period; and estimates of capital costs.

During the year ended December 31, 2017 QEP recorded $5.3 million of goodwill. In addition, during the year ended December 31, 2017, QEP tested goodwill for impairment, which resulted in a full write-down of the $5.3 million.

Litigation and Other Contingencies [Policy Text Block]

Litigation and Other Contingencies

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 Consolidated Financial Statements. The amount of ultimate loss may differ from these estimates. 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. Refer to Note 11 – Commitments and Contingencies for more information.

QEP accrues material losses associated with environmental obligations when such losses are probable and can be reasonably estimated. Accruals for estimated environmental losses are recognized no later than at the time the remediation feasibility study, or the evaluation of response options, is complete. These accruals are adjusted as more information becomes available or as circumstances change. Future environmental expenditures are not discounted to their present value. Recoveries of environmental costs from other parties are recorded separately as assets at their undiscounted value when receipt of such recoveries is probable.

Derivative Contracts [Policy Text Block]

Derivative Contracts

QEP has established policies and procedures for managing commodity price volatility through the use of derivative instruments. QEP uses commodity derivative instruments, typically fixed-price swaps, basis swaps and costless collars to realize a known price or price range for a specific volume of production delivered into a regional sales point. QEP's commodity derivative instruments do not require the physical delivery of oil or gas between the parties at settlement. All transactions are settled in cash with one party paying the other for the net difference in prices, multiplied by the contract volume, for the settlement period. QEP does not engage in speculative hedging transactions, nor does it buy and sell energy contracts with the objective of generating profits on short-term differences in price. Additionally, QEP does not currently have any commodity derivative transactions that have margin requirements or collateral provisions that would require payments prior to the scheduled settlement dates.

These derivative contracts are recorded in "Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on derivative contracts" on the Consolidated Statements of Operations in the month of settlement and are also marked-to-market monthly. Refer to Note 7 – Derivative Contracts for more information.

Credit Risk [Policy Text Block]

Credit Risk

Management believes that its credit review procedures, loss reserves, cash deposits and investments, and collection procedures have adequately provided for usual and customary credit-related losses. Exposure to credit risk may be affected by extended periods of low commodity prices, as well as the concentration of customers in certain regions due to changes in economic or other conditions. Customers include commercial and industrial enterprises and financial institutions that may react differently to changing conditions.

The Company utilizes various processes to monitor and evaluate its credit risk exposure, which include closely monitoring current market conditions and counterparty credit fundamentals, including public credit ratings, where available. Credit exposure is controlled through credit approvals and limits based on counterparty credit fundamentals. Credit exposure is aggregated across all lines of business, including derivatives, physical exposure and short-term cash investments. To further manage the level of credit risk, the Company requests credit support and, in some cases, requests parental guarantees, letters of credit or prepayment from companies with perceived higher credit risk. Loss reserves are periodically reviewed for adequacy and, if needed, are established on a specific case basis. The Company also has master-netting agreements with some counterparties that allow the offsetting of receivables and payables in a default situation.

The Company enters into International Swap Dealers Association Master Agreements (ISDA Agreements) with each of its derivative counterparties prior to executing derivative contracts. The terms of the ISDA Agreements provide the Company and the counterparties with rights of set-off upon the occurrence of defined acts of default by either the Company or counterparty to a derivative contract. The Company routinely monitors and manages its exposure to counterparty risk related to derivative contracts by requiring specific minimum credit standards for all counterparties, actively monitoring counterparties public credit ratings, and avoiding concentration of credit exposure by transacting with multiple counterparties. The Company's commodity derivative contract counterparties are typically financial institutions and energy trading firms with investment-grade credit ratings.

The Company's five largest customers accounted for 66%, 49%, and 59% of QEP's revenues for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The following table presents the percentages by customer that accounted for 10% or more of QEP's total revenues.

Year Ended December 31, 2019
Occidental Energy Marketing	21	%
Valero Marketing & Supply Company	18	%
Plains Marketing LP	17	%
Year Ended December 31, 2018
Occidental Energy Marketing	16	%
Plains Marketing LP	12	%
Year Ended December 31, 2017
Shell Trading Company	14	%
Occidental Energy Marketing	13	%
Andeavor Logistics LP	13	%
BP Energy Company	10	%
Plains Marketing LP	10	%

Income Taxes [Policy Text Block]

Income Taxes

The amount of income taxes recorded by QEP requires interpretations of complex rules and regulations of various tax jurisdictions throughout the United States. QEP has recognized deferred tax assets and liabilities for temporary differences, operating losses and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred income taxes are provided for the temporary differences arising between the book and tax carrying amounts of assets and liabilities. These differences create taxable or tax-deductible amounts for future periods.

ASC 740, Income Taxes, specifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes by prescribing a minimum recognition threshold for a tax position to be reflected in the financial statements. If recognized, the tax benefit is measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is more-likely-than-not to be realized upon ultimate settlement. Management has considered the amounts and the probabilities of the outcomes that could be realized upon ultimate settlement and believes that it is more-likely-than-not that the Company's recorded income tax benefits will be fully realized, or recognizes a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets in cases where we do not forecast sufficient future income to recognize the deferred tax asset. All federal income tax returns prior to 2019 have been examined by the Internal Revenue Service and are closed or have been pre-reviewed before filing. Income tax returns for 2019 have not yet been filed. Most state tax returns for 2016 and subsequent years remain subject to examination. Should the Company utilize any of its state loss carryforwards, their carryforward losses would be subject to examination.

The benefits of uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken on income tax returns is recognized in the consolidated financial statements at the largest amount that is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by the relevant taxing authorities.

In December 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (H.R.1) (Tax Legislation) was signed into law, which resulted in significant changes to U.S. federal income tax law. QEP expects that these changes will positively impact QEP's future after-tax earnings in the U.S., primarily due to the lower federal statutory tax rate of 21% compared to 35%. The impact of the Tax Legislation may differ from the statements above due to, among other things, changes in interpretations and assumptions the Company has made and actions the Company may take as a result of the Tax Legislation. Additionally, guidance issued by the relevant regulatory authorities regarding the Tax Legislation may materially impact QEP's financial statements. As additional guidance to the Tax Legislation is published in the form of Treasury Regulations and other IRS communications, the Company will monitor, assess, and determine the impact of these communications on the Company's consolidated financial statements and operations.

Treasury Stock [Policy Text Block]

Treasury Stock

We record treasury stock purchases at cost, which includes incremental direct transaction costs. Amounts are recorded as a reduction in shareholders' equity in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. QEP acquires treasury stock from stock forfeitures and withholdings and uses the acquired treasury stock for stock option exercises and certain stock grants to employees. Refer to Note 12 – Share-Based Compensation for more information.

Earnings Per Share [Policy Text Block]

Earnings (Loss) Per Share

Basic earnings (loss) per share (EPS) are computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted EPS includes the potential increase in the number of outstanding shares that could result from the exercise of in-the-money stock options. QEP's unvested restricted share awards are included in weighted-average basic common shares outstanding because, once the shares are granted, the restricted share awards are considered issued and outstanding, the historical forfeiture rate is minimal and the restricted share awards are eligible to receive dividends.

Unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents are considered participating securities and are included in the computation of earnings (loss) per share pursuant to the two-class method. The Company's unvested restricted share awards contain non-forfeitable dividend rights and participate equally with common stock with respect to dividends issued or declared. However, the Company's unvested restricted share awards do not have a contractual obligation to share in losses of the Company. The Company's unexercised stock options do not contain rights to dividends. Under the two-class method, the earnings used to determine basic earnings (loss) per common share are reduced by an amount allocated to participating securities. When the Company records a net loss, none of the loss is allocated to the participating securities since the securities are not obligated to share in Company losses. Use of the two-class method has an insignificant impact on the calculation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share. For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, there were no anti-dilutive shares.

The following is a reconciliation of the components of basic and diluted shares used in the EPS calculation:

	December 31,
	2019	2018	2017
	(in millions)
Weighted-average basic common shares outstanding	237.7	237.9	240.6
Potential number of shares issuable upon exercise of in-the-money stock options under the Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan	—	—	—
Average diluted common shares outstanding	237.7	237.9	240.6

Share-based Compensation [Policy Text Block]

Share-Based Compensation

QEP issues restricted share awards and restricted share units to certain officers, employees and non-employee directors under its 2018 Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP). QEP historically issued stock options. QEP used the Black-Scholes-Merton mathematical model to estimate the fair value of stock options for accounting purposes. The grant date fair value for restricted share awards is determined based on the closing bid price of the Company's common stock on the grant date. Share-based compensation cost for restricted share units is equal to its fair value as of the end of the period and is classified as a liability. QEP uses an accelerated method in recognizing share-based compensation costs for stock options and restricted share awards with graded-vesting periods. Stock options held by employees generally vest in three equal, annual installments and primarily have a term of seven years. Restricted share awards and restricted share units vest in equal installments over a specified number of years after the grant date with the majority vesting in three years. Non-vested restricted share awards have voting and dividend rights; however, sale or transfer is restricted. Employees may elect to defer their grants of restricted share awards and these deferred awards are designated as restricted share units. Restricted share units vest over a three-year period and are deferred into the Company's nonqualified, unfunded deferred compensation plan at the time of vesting. The Company also awards performance share units under its Cash Incentive Plan (CIP) that are generally paid out in cash depending upon the Company's total shareholder return compared to a group of its peers over a three-year period. Share-based compensation cost for the performance share units is equal to its fair value as of the end of the period and is classified as a liability. Refer to Note 12 – Share-Based Compensation for more information.

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits [Policy Text Block]

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

QEP maintains closed, defined-benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans, including both a qualified and a supplemental plan. QEP also provides certain health care and life insurance benefits for certain retired QEP employees. Determination of the benefit obligations for QEP's defined-benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans impacts the recorded amounts for such obligations on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and the amount of benefit expense recorded to the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

QEP measures pension plan assets at fair value. Defined-benefit plan obligations and costs are actuarially determined, incorporating the use of various assumptions. Critical assumptions for pension and other postretirement benefit plans include the discount rate, the expected rate of return on plan assets (for funded pension plans) and the rate of future compensation increases. Other assumptions involve demographic factors such as retirement, mortality and turnover. QEP evaluates and updates its actuarial assumptions at least annually. QEP recognizes a pension curtailment immediately when there is a significant reduction in, or an elimination of, defined-benefit accruals for present employees' future services. Refer to Note 13 – Employee Benefits for more information.

Comprehensive Income [Policy Text Block]

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income (loss) is the sum of net income (loss) as reported in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and changes in the components of other comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) includes certain items that are recorded directly to equity and classified as accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI), which includes changes in the underfunded portion of the Company's defined-benefit pension and other postretirement benefits plans and changes in deferred income taxes on such amounts. These transactions do not represent the culmination of the earnings process but result from periodically adjusting historical balances to fair value.

Recent Accounting Developments [Policy Text Block]

Recent Accounting Developments

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which requires lessees to recognize the lease assets and lease liabilities classified as operating leases on the balance sheet and disclose key quantitative and qualitative information about leasing arrangements. The FASB subsequently issued various ASUs which provided additional implementation guidance. The Company adopted ASU 2016-02 on January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective approach and elected to not adjust periods prior to January 1, 2019. The Company elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard, which, among other things, allowed the carry forward of the historical lease classification, including accounting treatment for land easements. This standard does not apply to QEP's leases that provide the right to explore for minerals, oil or natural gas resources. The adoption of this guidance resulted in the recognition of net operating lease right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities on QEP's Consolidated Balance Sheets. These leases primarily relate to office buildings, compressors and generators. This guidance did not have a significant impact on the Consolidated Statements of Operations or the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Refer to Note 8 – Leases for more information.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, which simplifies the accounting for income taxes. The amendment will be effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2020, and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact of the ASU on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.