Income Taxes

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Income Taxes [Abstract]

INCOME TAXES

7. INCOME TAXES

The Company estimates its annual effective income tax rate in recording its quarterly provision for income taxes in the various jurisdictions in which the Company operates. Statutory tax rate changes and other significant or unusual items are recognized as discrete items in the quarter in which they occur. Accordingly, the Company recorded the income tax impact of a $521 million non-cash write-down of its Canadian proved oil and gas properties as a discrete item in the first quarter of 2012.

Apache and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income or capital taxes in various state and foreign jurisdictions. The Company’s tax reserves are related to tax years that may be subject to examination by the relevant taxing authority. The Company is in Administrative Appeals with the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regarding the 2004 through 2008 tax years and under audit for the 2009 and 2010 tax year. The Company is also under audit in various states and in most of the Company’s foreign jurisdictions as part of its normal course of business.