Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES As of September 30, 2014, Apache’s significant accounting policies are consistent with those discussed in Note 1—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the consolidated financial statements contained in Apache’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 17, 2014 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, other than the change in income taxes noted below and in Note 7—Income Taxes. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates with regard to these financial statements include the fair value determination of acquired assets and liabilities, the estimate of proved oil and gas reserves and related present value estimates of future net cash flows therefrom, assessing asset retirement obligations, and the estimate of income taxes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Restricted Cash The Company classifies cash balances as restricted cash when cash is restricted as to withdrawal or usage. As of September 30, 2014, the Company had $545 million of proceeds from the sale of deepwater Gulf of Mexico properties held by a qualified intermediary and available for use in a like-kind exchange under Section 1031 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. As of the date of this filing, the Company has utilized or plans to utilize $471 million of the cash held by the qualified intermediary in the acquisition of like-kind property, and as such, this amount is classified as long-term restricted cash on Apache’s consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2014. The remaining $74 million of restricted cash was returned to Apache in October and, as such, is classified as short-term restricted cash on Apache’s consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2014. For more information regarding the sale of the deepwater Gulf of Mexico properties, please refer to Note 2—Acquisitions and Divestitures. Oil and Gas Property The Company follows the full-cost method of accounting for its oil and gas property. Under this method of accounting, all costs incurred for both successful and unsuccessful exploration and development activities, including salaries, benefits and other internal costs directly identified with these activities, and oil and gas property acquisitions are capitalized. The net book value of oil and gas properties, less related deferred income taxes, may not exceed a calculated “ceiling.” The ceiling limitation is the estimated after-tax future net cash flows from proved oil and gas reserves, discounted at 10 percent per annum and adjusted for designated cash flow hedges. Estimated future net cash flows are calculated using end-of-period costs and an unweighted arithmetic average of commodity prices in effect on the first day of each of the previous 12 months, held flat for the life of the production, except where prices are defined by contractual arrangements. Any excess of the net book value of proved oil and gas properties, less related deferred income taxes, over the ceiling is charged to expense and reflected as “Additional depreciation, depletion, and amortization” (DD&A) in the accompanying statement of consolidated operations. Such limitations are imposed separately on a country-by-country basis and are tested quarterly. For a discussion of the calculation of estimated future net cash flows, please refer to Note 14—Supplemental Oil and Gas Disclosures to the consolidated financial statements contained in Apache’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 17, 2014 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013. In the third quarter of 2014, the Company recorded $1.5 billion ($996 million net of tax) and $17 million ($7 million net of tax) in non-cash write-downs of the carrying value of the Company’s U.S. and North Sea proved oil and gas properties, respectively. In the second quarter of 2014, the Company recorded a $203 million ($77 million net of tax) non-cash write-down of the carrying value of the Company’s North Sea proved oil and gas properties. Income Taxes Apache records deferred tax assets and liabilities to account for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the financial statements and tax returns. The Company routinely assesses the realizability of its deferred tax assets. If the Company concludes that it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized, the tax asset is reduced by a valuation allowance. Numerous judgments and assumptions are inherent in the determination of future taxable income, including factors such as future operating conditions (particularly as related to prevailing oil and gas prices) and changing tax laws. Apache is required to assess whether the undistributed earnings of its foreign subsidiaries will be permanently reinvested. In the third quarter of 2014, Apache evaluated its permanent reinvestment position and determined that undistributed earnings from certain subsidiaries located in Apache’s Australia, Egypt, and North Sea regions will no longer be permanently reinvested. As a result of this change in position, Apache recorded a U.S. deferred income tax liability of $814 million on the undistributed earnings of subsidiaries located in these regions. Undistributed earnings of Apache’s Canadian subsidiaries remain permanently reinvested. Apache does not record U.S. deferred income taxes on foreign subsidiaries that are deemed to be permanently reinvested. When such earnings are no longer deemed permanently reinvested, Apache will recognize the appropriate U.S. current or deferred income tax liabilities. In addition, the Company recorded $249 million of U.S. deferred income tax expense on foreign earnings that were distributed to the U.S. in the third quarter of 2014. New Pronouncements Issued But Not Yet Adopted In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-08—Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. ASU 2014-08 modifies the criteria for disposals to qualify as discontinued operations and expands related disclosures. The guidance is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014. Adoption of this amendment will not have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations. In May 2014, the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) issued a joint revenue recognition standard, ASU 2014-09. The new standard removes inconsistencies in existing standards, changes the way companies recognize revenue from contracts with customers, and increases disclosure requirements. The guidance requires companies to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in amounts that reflect the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The standard is required to be adopted using either the full retrospective approach, with all prior periods presented adjusted, or the modified retrospective approach, with a cumulative adjustment to retained earnings on the opening balance sheet. The Company is currently evaluating the level of effort needed to implement the standard, the impact of adopting this standard on its consolidated financial statements, and whether to use the full retrospective approach or the modified retrospective approach. In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, which requires management of public and private companies to evaluate whether there are conditions and events that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the financial statements are issued (or available to be issued when applicable) and, if so, to disclose that fact. Management will be required to make this evaluation for both annual and interim reporting periods, if applicable. ASU No. 2014-15 is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company does not expect the adoption of this amendment to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

As of September 30, 2014, Apache’s significant accounting policies are consistent with those discussed in Note 1—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the consolidated financial statements contained in Apache’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 17, 2014 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, other than the change in income taxes noted below and in Note 7—Income Taxes.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates with regard to these financial statements include the fair value determination of acquired assets and liabilities, the estimate of proved oil and gas reserves and related present value estimates of future net cash flows therefrom, assessing asset retirement obligations, and the estimate of income taxes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Restricted Cash

The Company classifies cash balances as restricted cash when cash is restricted as to withdrawal or usage. As of September 30, 2014, the Company had $545 million of proceeds from the sale of deepwater Gulf of Mexico properties held by a qualified intermediary and available for use in a like-kind exchange under Section 1031 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. As of the date of this filing, the Company has utilized or plans to utilize $471 million of the cash held by the qualified intermediary in the acquisition of like-kind property, and as such, this amount is classified as long-term restricted cash on Apache’s consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2014. The remaining $74 million of restricted cash was returned to Apache in October and, as such, is classified as short-term restricted cash on Apache’s consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2014. For more information regarding the sale of the deepwater Gulf of Mexico properties, please refer to Note 2—Acquisitions and Divestitures.

Oil and Gas Property

The Company follows the full-cost method of accounting for its oil and gas property. Under this method of accounting, all costs incurred for both successful and unsuccessful exploration and development activities, including salaries, benefits and other internal costs directly identified with these activities, and oil and gas property acquisitions are capitalized. The net book value of oil and gas properties, less related deferred income taxes, may not exceed a calculated “ceiling.” The ceiling limitation is the estimated after-tax future net cash flows from proved oil and gas reserves, discounted at 10 percent per annum and adjusted for designated cash flow hedges. Estimated future net cash flows are calculated using end-of-period costs and an unweighted arithmetic average of commodity prices in effect on the first day of each of the previous 12 months, held flat for the life of the production, except where prices are defined by contractual arrangements.

Any excess of the net book value of proved oil and gas properties, less related deferred income taxes, over the ceiling is charged to expense and reflected as “Additional depreciation, depletion, and amortization” (DD&A) in the accompanying statement of consolidated operations. Such limitations are imposed separately on a country-by-country basis and are tested quarterly. For a discussion of the calculation of estimated future net cash flows, please refer to Note 14—Supplemental Oil and Gas Disclosures to the consolidated financial statements contained in Apache’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 17, 2014 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013.

In the third quarter of 2014, the Company recorded $1.5 billion ($996 million net of tax) and $17 million ($7 million net of tax) in non-cash write-downs of the carrying value of the Company’s U.S. and North Sea proved oil and gas properties, respectively. In the second quarter of 2014, the Company recorded a $203 million ($77 million net of tax) non-cash write-down of the carrying value of the Company’s North Sea proved oil and gas properties.

Income Taxes

Apache records deferred tax assets and liabilities to account for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the financial statements and tax returns. The Company routinely assesses the realizability of its deferred tax assets. If the Company concludes that it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized, the tax asset is reduced by a valuation allowance. Numerous judgments and assumptions are inherent in the determination of future taxable income, including factors such as future operating conditions (particularly as related to prevailing oil and gas prices) and changing tax laws.

Apache is required to assess whether the undistributed earnings of its foreign subsidiaries will be permanently reinvested. In the third quarter of 2014, Apache evaluated its permanent reinvestment position and determined that undistributed earnings from certain subsidiaries located in Apache’s Australia, Egypt, and North Sea regions will no longer be permanently reinvested. As a result of this change in position, Apache recorded a U.S. deferred income tax liability of $814 million on the undistributed earnings of subsidiaries located in these regions. Undistributed earnings of Apache’s Canadian subsidiaries remain permanently reinvested. Apache does not record U.S. deferred income taxes on foreign subsidiaries that are deemed to be permanently reinvested. When such earnings are no longer deemed permanently reinvested, Apache will recognize the appropriate U.S. current or deferred income tax liabilities. In addition, the Company recorded $249 million of U.S. deferred income tax expense on foreign earnings that were distributed to the U.S. in the third quarter of 2014.

New Pronouncements Issued But Not Yet Adopted

In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-08—Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. ASU 2014-08 modifies the criteria for disposals to qualify as discontinued operations and expands related disclosures. The guidance is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014. Adoption of this amendment will not have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations.

In May 2014, the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) issued a joint revenue recognition standard, ASU 2014-09. The new standard removes inconsistencies in existing standards, changes the way companies recognize revenue from contracts with customers, and increases disclosure requirements. The guidance requires companies to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in amounts that reflect the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The standard is required to be adopted using either the full retrospective approach, with all prior periods presented adjusted, or the modified retrospective approach, with a cumulative adjustment to retained earnings on the opening balance sheet. The Company is currently evaluating the level of effort needed to implement the standard, the impact of adopting this standard on its consolidated financial statements, and whether to use the full retrospective approach or the modified retrospective approach.

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, which requires management of public and private companies to evaluate whether there are conditions and events that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the financial statements are issued (or available to be issued when applicable) and, if so, to disclose that fact. Management will be required to make this evaluation for both annual and interim reporting periods, if applicable. ASU No. 2014-15 is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company does not expect the adoption of this amendment to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.