Restructuring Costs (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Restructuring Charges [Abstract]

Restructuring and Related Costs

Restructuring costs for 2016, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:

(Millions of dollars)	2016		2015		2014
Employee separations 1	$	297	$	641	$	382
Contract terminations 1	62		—		—
Long-lived asset impairments 1	391		127		48
Defined benefit retirement plan curtailment losses 1	7		82		2
Other 2	262		48		—
Total restructuring costs	$	1,019	$	898	$	432
1 Recognized in Other operating (income) expenses.
2 Represents costs related to our restructuring programs, primarily for inventory write-downs, accelerated depreciation, sales discounts, project management and equipment relocation and were recognized primarily in Cost of goods sold.

Summary of separation activity

The following table summarizes the 2015 and 2016 employee separation activity:

(Millions of dollars)
Liability balance at December 31, 2014	$	182
Increase in liability (separation charges)	641
Reduction in liability (payments)	(340		)
Liability balance at December 31, 2015	$	483
Increase in liability (separation charges)	297
Reduction in liability (payments)	(633		)
Liability balance at December 31, 2016	$	147