Nature of Operations, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Hess Corporation and entities in which we own more than a 50% voting interest.  Commencing December 16, 2019, we consolidate Hess Midstream LP, a variable interest entity that acquired Hess Infrastructure Partners LP (HIP), based on our conclusion that we have the power through Hess Corporation’s 47% consolidated ownership interest in Hess Midstream LP to direct those activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of Hess Midstream LP, and are obligated to absorb losses or have the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to Hess Midstream LP.  Prior to December 16, 2019, we consolidated HIP, also a variable interest entity based on the conclusion we had the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of HIP.  Our undivided interests in unincorporated oil and gas E&P ventures are proportionately consolidated.  Investments in affiliated companies, 20% to 50% owned and where we have the ability to influence the operating or financial decisions of the affiliate, are accounted for using the equity method.  

On January 1, 2019, we adopted Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 842, Leases.  ASC 842 supersedes ASC 840 and requires the recognition of right-of-use (ROU) assets and lease obligations for all leases with lease terms greater than one year, including leases previously treated as operating leases under ASC 840.  We adopted ASC 842 using the modified retrospective method which allows the standard to be applied prospectively.  No cumulative effect adjustment was recorded to Retained Earnings at January 1, 2019, and comparative financial statements for periods prior to adoption of ASC 842 were not affected.  We elected to apply a number of practical expedients permitted by the standard, including not needing to reassess: (i) whether existing contracts are (or contain) leases, (ii) whether the lease classification for existing leases would differ under ASC 842, (iii) whether initial direct costs incurred for existing leases are capitalizable under ASC 842, and (iv) land easements that were not previously accounted for as leases under ASC 840.  We also elected to not recognize a lease liability or ROU asset for short-term leases as defined in ASC 842.  This standard does not apply to leases acquired for oil and gas producing activities that are accounted for under ASC 932, Extractive Activities – Oil and Gas.

The adoption of ASC 842 did not have an impact on our Statement of Consolidated Income or Statement of Consolidated Cash Flows.  The impact of adoption on our Consolidated Balance Sheet on January 1, 2019, was as follows:

	December 31, 2018		Adjustment for Finance Leases			Adjustment for Operating Leases			January 1, 2019
	(In millions)
Assets
Property, plant and equipment — net	$	16,083	$	(346	)	$	—		$	15,737
Operating lease right-of-use assets — net		—		—			804			804
Finance lease right-of-use assets — net		—		346			—			346
Liabilities
Accrued liabilities		1,560		—			(2	)		1,558
Current maturities of long-term debt		67		(55	)		—			12
Current portion of operating and finance lease obligations		—		55			382			437
Long-term debt		6,605		(254	)		—			6,351
Long-term operating lease obligations		—		—			516			516
Long-term finance lease obligations		—		254			—			254
Other liabilities and deferred credits		575		—			(92	)		483

In 2019, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes.  This ASU makes certain targeted improvements to the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740, including removal of the exception to the incremental approach for intraperiod

tax allocation when there is a loss from continuing operations and income or gain from other items, such as other comprehensive income.  The amendments also improve consistent application of and simplify U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for other areas of Topic 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance.  This ASU is effective for us beginning in the first quarter of 2021, with early adoption permitted.  We elected to adopt this ASU effective October 1, 2019, and the adoption had no impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Estimates and Assumptions

Estimates and Assumptions:  In preparing financial statements in conformity with GAAP, management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet and revenues and expenses in our Statement of Consolidated Income.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.  Estimates made by management include oil and gas reserves, asset and other valuations, depreciable lives, pension liabilities, legal and environmental obligations, asset retirement obligations and income taxes.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition:  

Exploration and Production

The E&P segment recognizes revenue from the sale of crude oil, NGL, and natural gas as performance obligations under contracts with customers are satisfied.  Our responsibilities to deliver each unit of quantity of crude oil, NGL, and natural gas under these contracts represent separate, distinct performance obligations.  These performance obligations are satisfied at the point in time control of each unit of quantity transfers to the customer.  Generally, the control of each unit of quantity transfers to the customer upon the transfer of legal title at the point of physical delivery.  Pricing is variable and is determined with reference to a particular market or pricing index, plus or minus adjustments reflecting quality or location differentials.

For long-term international natural gas contracts with ship-or-pay provisions, our obligation to stand-ready to provide a minimum volume over each commitment period represents separate, distinct performance obligations.  Penalties owed against future deliveries of natural gas due to delivery of volumes below minimum delivery commitments are recognized as reductions to revenue in the commitment period when the shortfall occurs.  Long-term international natural gas contracts may also contain take-or-pay provisions whereby the customer is required to pay for volumes not taken that are below the minimum volume commitment, but the customer has certain make-up rights to receive shortfall volumes in subsequent periods.  Shortfall payments received from customers when volumes purchased are below the minimum volume commitment are deferred upon receipt as a contract liability.  Revenue is recognized at the earlier of when we deliver the make-up volumes in subsequent periods or when it becomes remote that the customer will exercise their make-up rights.  

Certain crude oil, NGL, and natural gas volumes are purchased by Hess from third parties, including working interest partners and royalty owners in certain Hess-operated properties, before they are sold to customers.  Where control over the crude oil, NGL, or natural gas transfers to Hess before the volumes are transferred to the customer, revenue and the associated cost of purchased volumes are presented on a gross basis in the Statement of Consolidated Income within Sales and other operating revenues and Marketing, including purchased oil and gas, respectively.  Where control of crude oil, NGL, or natural gas is not transferred to Hess, revenue is presented net of the associated cost of purchased volumes within Sales and other operating revenues in the Statement of Consolidated Income.

Contract types:  

The following is a summary of contract types for our E&P segment:

Crude oil, NGL, and natural gas – United States (U.S.):  Contracts with customers for the sale of U.S. crude oil, NGL, and natural gas primarily include those contracts that involve the short-term sale of volumes during a specified period, and those contracts that automatically renew on a periodic basis until either party cancels.  We have certain long-term contracts with customers for the sale of U.S. natural gas and NGL that have remaining durations ranging from one to twelve years.  Contracts may specify a fixed volume for delivery subject to tolerance thresholds or may specify a percentage of production to be delivered from a particular location.  Pricing is determined with reference to a particular market or pricing index, plus or minus adjustments reflecting quality or location differentials.

Crude oil – International:  Contracts with customers for the sale of international crude oil involve the short-term sale of volumes during a specified period.  These contracts specify a fixed volume for delivery subject to tolerance thresholds.  Pricing is determined with reference to a particular market or pricing index, plus or minus adjustments reflecting quality or location differentials, shortly after control of the volumes transfers to the customer.

Natural gas – International:  Contracts with customers for the sale of natural gas are in the form of natural gas sales agreements with government entities that have durations that are aligned with the durations of production sharing contracts or other contractual arrangements with host governments.  Pricing is determined using contractual formulas that are based on the price of alternative fuels as obtained from price indices and other factors.  These contracts also specify a minimum volume we are obligated to make available during specified periods within the contract term and may specify minimum volumes the customer is obligated to purchase during specified periods within the contract

term.  If we do not deliver the volume properly nominated by the customer, the customer is entitled to a price discount on future volumes equivalent to the shortfall delivery.  Under certain international natural gas sales agreements, if the customer purchases natural gas volumes below the minimum volume commitment, the customer is required to pay us for the shortfall volumes and may receive make-up volumes in subsequent periods at no additional cost.  

Revenue from sale of third-party purchased volumes:  Crude oil, NGL, and natural gas are purchased by Hess from third parties, including working interest partners and royalty owners in certain Hess-operated properties, before they are sold to customers.  The types of contracts with customers for the sale of third-party purchased volumes are the same as those described above.

Contract Balances:

Our right to receive or collect payment from the customer is aligned with the timing of revenue recognition except in situations when we receive shortfall payments under contracts with take-or-pay provisions with customer make-up rights.  At December 31, 2019 and 2018, there were no contract assets or contract liabilities.

Generally, we receive payments from customers on a monthly basis, shortly after the physical delivery of the crude oil, NGL, or natural gas.  We did not recognize any credit losses on receivables with customers during 2019 nor 2018.

Transaction Price Allocated to Remaining Performance Obligations:

The transaction price allocated to our wholly unsatisfied performance obligations on uncompleted contracts is variable.  Further, many of our contracts with customers have durations of less than twelve months.  Accordingly, we have elected under the provisions of ASC 606 the exemption from disclosure of revenue recognizable in future periods as these performance obligations are satisfied.

Sales-based Taxes:

We exclude sales-based taxes that are collected from customers from the transaction price in our contracts with customers.  Accordingly, revenue from contracts with customers is net of sales-based taxes that are collected from customers and remitted to taxing authorities.

Midstream

Our Midstream segment provides gathering, compression, processing, fractionation, storage, terminaling, loading and transportation, and water handling services.

The Midstream segment has multiple long-term, fee-based commercial agreements with a marketing subsidiary of Hess, each generally with an initial ten-year term that can be extended for an additional ten-year term at the unilateral right of our Midstream segment.  These contracts have minimum volumes the customer is obligated to provide each calendar quarter.  The minimum volume commitments are subject to fluctuation based on nominations covering substantially all of our E&P segment’s production and projected third-party volumes that will be purchased in the Bakken.  As the minimum volume commitments are subject to fluctuation, and as these contracts contain fee inflation escalators and fee recalculation mechanisms, substantially all of the transaction price at contract inception is variable.  The Midstream segment also provides water handling services to a subsidiary of Hess for an agreed-upon fee per barrel or the reimbursement of third-party fees. 

The Midstream segment’s responsibilities to provide each of the above services for each year under each of the commercial agreements are considered separate, distinct performance obligations.  Revenue is recognized for each performance obligation under these commercial agreements over-time as services are rendered using the output method, measured using the amount of volumes serviced during the period.  The Midstream segment has elected the practical expedient under the provisions of ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers to recognize revenue in the amount it is entitled to invoice.  If the commercial agreements have ship-or-pay provisions, the Midstream segment’s responsibility to stand-ready to service a minimum volume over each quarterly commitment period represent separate, distinct performance obligations.  Shortfall payments received under ship-or-pay provisions are recognized as revenue in the calendar quarter the shortfall occurs as the customer does not have make-up rights beyond the calendar quarter end of the quarterly commitment period.  All revenues, receivables, and contract balances arising from the commercial agreements between the Midstream segment and the Hess marketing subsidiary that is the counterparty to the commercial agreements are eliminated upon consolidation.

Exploration and Development Costs

Exploration and Development Costs:  E&P activities are accounted for using the successful efforts method.  Costs of acquiring unproved and proved oil and gas leasehold acreage, including lease bonuses, brokers’ fees and other related costs are capitalized.  Annual lease rentals, exploration expenses and exploratory dry hole costs are expensed as incurred.  Costs of drilling and equipping productive wells, including development dry holes, and related production facilities are capitalized.

The costs of exploratory wells that find oil and gas reserves are capitalized pending determination of whether proved reserves have been found.  Exploratory drilling costs remain capitalized after drilling is completed if (1) the well has found a

sufficient quantity of reserves to justify completion as a producing well and (2) sufficient progress is being made in assessing the reserves and the economic and operational viability of the project.  If either of those criteria is not met, or if there is substantial doubt about the economic or operational viability of a project, the capitalized well costs are charged to expense.  Indicators of sufficient progress in assessing reserves and the economic and operating viability of a project include commitment of project personnel, active negotiations for sales contracts with customers, negotiations with governments, operators and contractors, firm plans for additional drilling and other factors.

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization:  We record depletion expense for acquisition costs of proved properties using the units of production method over proved oil and gas reserves.  Depreciation and depletion expense for oil and gas production facilities and wells is calculated using the units of production method over proved developed oil and gas reserves.  Provisions for impairment of undeveloped oil and gas leases are based on periodic evaluations and other factors.  Depreciation of all other plant and equipment is determined on the straight-line method based on estimated useful lives.

Capitalized Interest

Capitalized Interest:  Interest from external borrowings is capitalized on material projects using the weighted average cost of outstanding borrowings until the project is substantially complete and ready for its intended use, which for oil and gas assets is at first production from the field.  Capitalized interest is depreciated over the useful lives of the assets in the same manner as the depreciation of the underlying assets.

Impairment of Long-lived Assets

Impairment of Long‑lived Assets:  We review long‑lived assets, including oil and gas fields, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recovered.  If the carrying amounts of the long-lived assets are not expected to be recovered by estimated undiscounted future net cash flows, the assets are impaired and an impairment loss is recorded.  The amount of impairment is determined based on the estimated fair value of the assets generally determined by discounting anticipated future net cash flows, an income valuation approach, or by a market‑based valuation approach, which are Level 3 fair value measurements.  In the case of oil and gas fields, the present value of future net cash flows is based on management’s best estimate of future prices, which is determined with reference to recent historical prices and published forward prices, applied to projected production volumes and discounted at a risk-adjusted rate.  The projected production volumes represent reserves, including probable reserves, expected to be produced based on a projected amount of capital expenditures.  The production volumes, prices and timing of production are consistent with internal projections and other externally reported information.  Oil and gas prices used for determining asset impairment will generally differ from those used in the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows reported in Supplementary Oil and Gas Data, since the standardized measure requires the use of historical twelve-month average prices.

Impairment of Goodwill

Impairment of Goodwill:  Goodwill is tested for impairment annually on October 1^st or when events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the goodwill may not be recoverable.  To determine whether an indicator of impairment exists, the fair value of a reporting unit is compared with its carrying amount, including goodwill.  If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, goodwill is not impaired.  If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment charge would be recorded for the excess of the carrying value over fair value, limited by the amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit.  At December 31, 2019, goodwill of $360 million relates to the Midstream operating segment.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents:  Cash and cash equivalents primarily comprises cash on hand and on deposit, as well as highly liquid investments that are readily convertible into cash and have maturities of three months or less when acquired.

Inventories

Inventories:  Unsold crude oil and NGL are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value.  Cost is determined based on the average cost of production.  Materials and supplies are valued at cost.  Obsolete or surplus materials identified during periodic reviews are valued at the lower of cost or estimated net realizable value.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes:  Deferred income taxes are determined using the liability method.  We have net operating loss carryforwards or credit carryforwards in multiple jurisdictions and have recorded deferred tax assets for those losses and credits.  Additionally, we have deferred tax assets due to temporary differences between the book basis and tax basis of certain assets and liabilities.  Regular assessments are made as to the likelihood of those deferred tax assets being realized.  If, when tested under the relevant accounting standards, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized, a valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the deferred tax assets to the amount that is expected to be realized.  The accounting standards require the evaluation of all available positive and negative evidence giving weight based on the evidence’s relative objectivity.  In evaluating potential sources of positive evidence, we consider the reversal of taxable temporary differences, taxable income in carryback and carryforward periods, the availability of tax planning strategies, the existence of appreciated assets, estimates of future taxable income, and other factors.  In evaluating potential sources of negative evidence, we consider a cumulative loss in recent years, any history of operating losses or tax credit carryforwards expiring unused, losses expected in early future years, unsettled circumstances that, if unfavorably resolved, would adversely affect future operations and profit levels on a continuing basis in future years, and any carryback or carryforward period so brief that a significant deductible temporary difference expected to reverse in a single year would limit realization of tax benefits.  We assign cumulative historical losses significant weight in the evaluation of realizability relative to more subjective evidence such as forecasts of future income.  In

addition, we recognize the financial statement effect of a tax position only when management believes that it is more likely than not, that based on the technical merits, the position will be sustained upon examination.  We are no longer indefinitely reinvested with respect to the book in excess of tax basis in the investment in our foreign subsidiaries.  Because of U.S. tax reform we expect that the future reversal of such temporary differences will occur free of material taxation.  We classify interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions as income tax expense.  We account for the U.S. tax effect of global intangible low-taxed income earned by foreign subsidiaries in the period that such income is earned.  We utilize the aggregate approach for releasing disproportionate income tax effects from Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

Asset Retirement Obligations

Asset Retirement Obligations:  We have material legal obligations to remove and dismantle long‑lived assets and to restore land or the seabed at certain E&P locations.  We initially recognize a liability for the fair value of legally required asset retirement obligations in the period in which the retirement obligations are incurred and capitalize the associated asset retirement costs as part of the carrying amount of the long‑lived assets.  In subsequent periods, the liability is accreted, and the asset is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset.  Fair value is determined by applying a credit adjusted risk-free rate to the undiscounted expected future abandonment expenditures, which represent Level 3 inputs in the fair value hierarchy.  Changes in estimates prior to settlement result in adjustments to both the liability and related asset values, unless the field has ceased production, in which case changes are recognized in the Statement of Consolidated Income.

Retirement Plans

Retirement Plans:  We recognize the funded status of defined benefit postretirement plans in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.  The funded status is measured as the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the projected benefit obligation.  We recognize the net changes in the funded status of these plans in the year in which such changes occur.  Actuarial gains and losses in excess of 10% of the greater of the benefit obligation or the market value of assets are amortized over the average remaining service period of active employees or the remaining average expected life if a plan’s participants are predominantly inactive.

Derivatives

Derivatives:  We utilize derivative instruments for financial risk management activities.  In these activities, we may use futures, forwards, options and swaps, individually or in combination, to mitigate our exposure to fluctuations in prices of crude oil and natural gas, as well as changes in interest and foreign currency exchange rates.

All derivative instruments are recorded at fair value in our Consolidated Balance Sheet.  Our policy for recognizing the changes in fair value of derivatives varies based on the designation of the derivative.  The changes in fair value of derivatives that are not designated as hedges are recognized currently in earnings.  Derivatives may be designated as hedges of expected future cash flows or forecasted transactions (cash flow hedges), or hedges of changes in fair value of recognized assets and liabilities or of unrecognized firm commitments (fair value hedges).  Changes in fair value of derivatives that are designated as cash flow hedges are recorded as a component of other comprehensive income (loss).  Amounts included in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for cash flow hedges are reclassified into earnings in the same period that the hedged item is recognized in earnings.  Changes in fair value of derivatives designated as fair value hedges are recognized currently in earnings.  The change in fair value of the related hedged commitment is recorded as an adjustment to its carrying amount and recognized currently in earnings.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements:  We use various valuation approaches in determining fair value for financial instruments, including the market and income approaches.  Our fair value measurements also include non-performance risk and time value of money considerations.  Counterparty credit is considered for receivable balances, and our credit is considered for accrued liabilities.  We also record certain nonfinancial assets and liabilities at fair value when required by GAAP.  These fair value measurements are recorded in connection with business combinations, qualifying nonmonetary exchanges, the initial recognition of asset retirement obligations and any impairment of long‑lived assets, equity method investments or goodwill.  We determine fair value in accordance with the fair value measurements accounting standard which established a hierarchy for the inputs used to measure fair value based on the source of the inputs, which generally range from quoted prices for identical instruments in a principal trading market (Level 1) to estimates determined using related market data (Level 3), including discounted cash flows and other unobservable data.  Measurements derived indirectly from observable inputs or from quoted prices from markets that are less liquid are considered Level 2.  When Level 1 inputs are available within a particular market, those inputs are selected for determination of fair value over Level 2 or 3 inputs in the same market.  Multiple inputs may be used to measure fair value; however, the level of fair value assigned for each physical derivative and financial asset or liability is based on the lowest significant input level within this fair value hierarchy.

Details on the methods and assumptions used to determine the fair values are as follows:

Fair value measurements based on Level 1 inputs:  Measurements that are most observable are based on quoted prices of identical instruments obtained from the principal markets in which they are traded.  Closing prices are both readily available and representative of fair value.  Market transactions occur with sufficient frequency and volume to assure liquidity.

Fair value measurements based on Level 2 inputs:  Measurements derived indirectly from observable inputs or from quoted prices from markets that are less liquid are considered Level 2.  Measurements based on Level 2 inputs include over-the-counter derivative instruments that are priced on an exchange-traded curve but have contractual terms that are not identical to exchange-traded contracts.

Fair value measurements based on Level 3 inputs:  Measurements that are least observable are estimated from related market data, determined from sources with little or no market activity for comparable contracts or are positions with longer durations.  Fair values determined using discounted cash flows and other unobservable data are also classified as Level 3.

Netting of Financial Instruments: We generally enter into master netting arrangements to mitigate legal and counterparty credit risk.  Master netting arrangements are generally accepted overarching master contracts that govern all individual transactions with the same counterparty entity as a single legally enforceable agreement.  The U.S. Bankruptcy Code provides for the enforcement of certain termination and netting rights under certain types of contracts upon the bankruptcy filing of a counterparty, commonly known as the “safe harbor” provisions.  If a master netting arrangement provides for termination and netting upon the counterparty’s bankruptcy, these rights are generally enforceable with respect to “safe harbor” transactions.  If these arrangements provide the right of offset and our intent and practice is to offset amounts in the case of such a termination, our policy is to record the fair value of derivative assets and liabilities on a net basis.  In the normal course of business, we rely on legal and credit risk mitigation clauses providing for adequate credit assurance as well as close‑out netting, including two‑party netting and single counterparty multilateral netting.  As applied to us, “two‑party netting” is the right to net amounts owing under safe harbor transactions between a single defaulting counterparty entity and a single Hess entity, and “single counterparty multilateral netting” is the right to net amounts owing under safe harbor transactions among a single defaulting counterparty entity and multiple Hess entities.  We are reasonably assured that these netting rights would be upheld in a bankruptcy proceeding in the U.S. in which the defaulting counterparty is a debtor under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.

Share-based Compensation

Share-based Compensation:  We account for share-based compensation under the fair value method of accounting.  The fair value of all share‑based compensation is recognized over the service period for the entire award, whether the award was granted with ratable or cliff vesting, net of actual forfeitures.  We estimate fair value at the date of grant using a Black‑Scholes valuation model for employee stock options and a Monte Carlo simulation model for performance share units (PSUs).  Fair value of restricted stock is based on the market value of the underlying shares at the date of grant.

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign Currency Translation:  The U.S. Dollar is the functional currency (primary currency in which business is conducted) for our foreign operations.  Adjustments resulting from remeasuring monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are recorded in Other, net in the Statement of Consolidated Income.  For our former operations in Norway that did not use the U.S. Dollar as the functional currency, adjustments resulting from translating foreign currency assets and liabilities into U.S. Dollars were recorded in a separate component of equity titled Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) prior to the disposition.  See Note 3, Dispositions.

Maintenance and Repairs

Maintenance and Repairs:  Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred.  Capital improvements are recorded as additions in Property, plant and equipment.

Environmental Expenditures

Environmental Expenditures:  We accrue and expense the undiscounted environmental costs necessary to remediate existing conditions related to past operations when the future costs are probable and reasonably estimable.  At year‑end 2019, our reserve for estimated remediation liabilities was approximately $70 million.  Environmental expenditures that increase the life or efficiency of property or reduce or prevent future adverse impacts to the environment are capitalized.

New Accounting Pronouncements

New Accounting Pronouncements:  In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses.  This ASU makes changes to the impairment model for trade receivables, net investments in leases, debt securities, loans and certain other instruments.  The standard requires the use of a forward-looking "expected loss" model compared with the current "incurred loss" model.  We will adopt this ASU in the first quarter of 2020 when the standard becomes effective and it is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.