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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Apache and its subsidiaries after elimination of intercompany balances and transactions. The Company’s undivided interests in oil and gas exploration and production ventures and partnerships are proportionately consolidated. The Company consolidates all other investments in which, either through direct or indirect ownership, Apache has more than a 50 percent voting interest or controls the financial and operating decisions. Noncontrolling interests represent third-party ownership in the net assets of a consolidated Apache subsidiary and are reflected separately in the Company’s financial statements. Investments in which Apache holds less than 50 percent of the voting interest are typically accounted for under the equity method of accounting, with the balance recorded as a component of “Deferred charges and other” in Apache’s consolidated balance sheet and results of operations recorded as a component of “Other” under “Revenues and Other” in the Company’s statement of consolidated operations.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

Preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect 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. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Apache evaluates its estimates and assumptions on a regular basis. Actual results may differ from these estimates and assumptions used in preparation of its financial statements and changes in these estimates are recorded when known. Significant estimates with regard to these financial statements include the fair value determination of acquired assets and liabilities and assets held for sale at year-end (see Note 2—Acquisitions and Divestitures), the estimate of proved oil and gas reserves and related present value estimates of future net cash flows therefrom (see Note 14—Supplemental Oil and Gas Disclosures), the assessment of asset retirement obligations (see Note 5—Asset Retirement Obligation), the estimates of fair value for long-lived assets and goodwill impairment (see “Fair Value Measurements” and “Goodwill” sections in this Note 1 below), and the estimate of income taxes (see Note 7—Income Taxes).

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements

Certain assets and liabilities are reported at fair value on a recurring basis in Apache’s consolidated balance sheet. Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 820-10-35 provides a hierarchy that prioritizes and defines the types of inputs used to measure fair value. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to Level 1 inputs, which consist of unadjusted quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets. Level 2 inputs consist of quoted prices for similar instruments. Level 3 valuations are derived from inputs that are significant and unobservable; hence, these valuations have the lowest priority.

The valuation techniques that may be used to measure fair value include a market approach, an income approach, and a cost approach. A market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities. An income approach uses valuation techniques to convert future amounts to a single present amount based on current market expectations, including present value techniques, option-pricing models, and the excess earnings method. The cost approach is based on the amount that currently would be required to replace the service capacity of an asset (replacement cost).

Recurring fair value measurements are presented in further detail in Note 6—Debt and Note 9—Retirement and Deferred Compensation Plans.

Apache also uses fair value measurements on a nonrecurring basis as indicated by certain qualitative assessments of its assets. For the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company recorded asset impairments totaling $1.9 billion in connection with fair value assessments in the current low commodity price environment. Impairments totaling $1.7 billion were recorded for certain gathering, transmission, and processing (GTP) facilities, which were written down to their fair values. These GTP impairments are discussed in further detail below in “Gathering, Transmission, and Processing Facilities.” Also in 2015, the Company recorded $148 million for the impairment of an equity method investment sold in the fourth quarter and $55 million for inventory write-downs. For a discussion of the equity method investment impairment, see Note 2—Acquisitions and Divestitures.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company recorded asset impairments totaling $1.9 billion in connection with fair value assessments, including $1.3 billion for the impairment of goodwill, $604 million for the impairment of assets held for sale, and other asset impairments. The Company also recorded $439 million in impairments related to the sale of Australia’s assets, which are classified as discontinued operations in 2014. For discussion of these impairments, see “Property and Equipment” and “Goodwill” below and Note 2—Acquisitions and Divestitures.

Cash Equivalents

Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid short-term investments with a maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents. These investments are carried at cost, which approximates fair value. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, Apache had $1.5 billion and $0.8 billion, respectively, of cash and cash equivalents.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Accounts receivable are stated at the historical carrying amount net of write-offs and an allowance for doubtful accounts. The carrying amount of Apache’s accounts receivable approximates fair value because of the short-term nature of the instruments. The Company routinely assesses the collectability of all material trade and other receivables. Many of Apache’s receivables are from joint interest owners on properties Apache operates. The Company may have the ability to withhold future revenue disbursements to recover any non-payment of these joint interest billings. The Company accrues a reserve on a receivable when, based on the judgment of management, it is probable that a receivable will not be collected and the amount of any reserve may be reasonably estimated. As of December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, the Company had an allowance for doubtful accounts of $103 million, $98 million, and $78 million, respectively. During 2015, Apache’s allowance for doubtful accounts increased $5 million, reflecting additional provisions for the year of $40 million, partially offset by $35 million for uncollectible accounts written off net of recoveries.

Inventories

Inventories

Inventories consist principally of tubular goods and equipment, stated at weighted-average cost, and oil produced but not sold, stated at the lower of cost or market.

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment

The carrying value of Apache’s property and equipment represents the cost incurred to acquire the property and equipment, including capitalized interest. Interest costs incurred in connection with qualifying capital expenditures are capitalized and amortized in concurrence with the related assets. For business combinations, property and equipment cost is based on the fair values at the acquisition date.

Oil and Gas Property

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. All costs related to production, general corporate overhead, and similar activities are expensed as incurred. Apache capitalized $297 million, $373 million, and $401 million of internal costs in 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively.

Proved properties are amortized on a country-by-country basis using the units of production method (UOP). The UOP calculation multiplies the percentage of estimated proved reserves produced each quarter by the cost of those reserves. The amortization base in the UOP calculation includes the sum of proved property, net of accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization (DD&A), estimated future development costs (future costs to access and develop proved reserves), and asset retirement costs, less related salvage value.

The cost of unproved properties and properties under development are excluded from the amortization calculation until it is determined whether or not proved reserves can be assigned to such properties or until development projects are placed in service. Geological and geophysical costs not associated with specific prospects are recorded to proved property immediately. Unproved properties and properties under development are reviewed for impairment at least quarterly and are determined through an evaluation considering, among other factors, seismic data, requirements to relinquish acreage, drilling results, remaining time in the commitment period, remaining capital plan, and political, economic, and market conditions. In countries where proved reserves exist, exploratory drilling costs associated with dry holes are transferred to proved properties immediately upon determination that a well is dry and amortized accordingly. In countries where a reserve base has not yet been established, impairments are charged to earnings.

Under the full-cost method of accounting, 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. Future cash outflows associated with settling accrued asset retirement obligations are excluded from the calculation. 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. See Note 14—Supplemental Oil and Gas Disclosures for a discussion of the calculation of estimated future net cash flows.

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 DD&A in the accompanying statement of consolidated operations. Such limitations are imposed separately on a country-by-country basis and are tested quarterly. The following table presents non-cash write-downs of the carrying value of the Company’s proved oil and gas properties by country for 2015, 2014, and 2013:


	For the Year Ended December 31, 2015				For the Year Ended December 31, 2014				For the Year Ended December 31, 2013

	Before tax		After tax		Before tax		After tax		Before tax		After tax

	(In millions)

U.S.	$	19,537	$	12,602	$	4,412	$	2,844	$	552	$	356
Canada		3,667		2,721		-		-		-		-
North Sea		2,032		1,016		589		224		368		139
Egypt		281		281		-		-		-		-
Other international		-		-		-		-		75		46

Total write-downs	$	25,517	$	16,620	$	5,001	$	3,068	$	995	$	541

In 2013, the Company recorded a non-cash write-down of $118 million, net of tax, in Argentina, which is reflected as discontinued operations in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Cash flow hedges did not materially affect the 2015, 2014, and 2013 calculations.

Proceeds from the sale or disposition of oil and gas properties are accounted for as a reduction to capitalized costs unless a significant portion (greater than 25 percent) of the Company’s reserve quantities in a particular country are sold, in which case a gain or loss is recognized in income. During 2015, Apache recorded a $1.3 billion and $922 million loss related to the sale of its Australia oil and gas assets and Wheatstone LNG project, respectively. During 2014, Apache recorded a $539 million loss related to the divestiture of operations in Argentina. No gain or loss was recorded on the Company’s divestitures in 2013. See Note 2—Acquisitions and Divestitures for more detail.

Gathering, Transmission, and Processing Facilities

Gathering, Transmission, and Processing Facilities

GTP facilities totaled $1.1 billion and $5.4 billion at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, with accumulated depreciation for these assets totaling $160 million and $1.7 billion for the respective periods. GTP facilities are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The estimation of useful life takes into consideration anticipated production lives from the fields serviced by the GTP assets, whether Apache-operated or third party, as well as potential development plans by Apache for undeveloped acreage within or in close proximity to those fields.

The Company assesses the carrying amount of its GTP facilities whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. If the carrying amount of these facilities is more than the sum of the undiscounted cash flows, an impairment loss is recognized for the excess of the carrying value over its fair value. During 2015, the Company recorded impairments of $1.7 billion on certain GTP assets, which were written down to their fair values of $306 million in aggregate. The fair values of the impaired assets were determined using an income approach, which considered internal estimates of future throughput volumes, processing rates, and costs. These assumptions were applied to develop future cash flow projections that were then discounted to estimated fair value, using a discount rate believed to be consistent with those applied by market participants. Apache has classified these non-recurring fair value measurements as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. During 2014, the Company recorded an impairment of $1.0 billion of its GTP assets related to the sale of Apache’s Wheatstone and Kitimat LNG projects, and the remaining carrying value of those assets was reclassified to “Assets held for sale” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2014. No impairments of GTP facilities were recognized during 2013.

The costs of GTP facilities retired or otherwise disposed of and associated accumulated depreciation are removed from Apache’s consolidated financial statements, and the resulting gain or loss is reflected in “Other” under “Revenues and Other” in the Company’s statement of consolidated operations. During 2015, Apache recorded a gain on the sale of GTP facilities totaling $59 million associated with the Company’s divestitures of certain Permian Basin assets. During 2014, the Company recorded a loss totaling $180 million associated with divestitures of certain Anadarko basin and southern Louisiana assets. No gain or loss on the sales of GTP facilities was recognized during 2013.

Other Property and Equipment

Other Property and Equipment

Other property and equipment includes computer software and equipment, buildings, vehicles, furniture and fixtures, land, and other equipment. These assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from 3 to 20 years. Accumulated depreciation for these assets totaled $693 million and $673 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Asset Retirement Costs and Obligations

Asset Retirement Costs and Obligations

The initial estimated asset retirement obligation related to property and equipment is recorded as a liability at its fair value, with an offsetting asset retirement cost recorded as an increase to the associated property and equipment on the consolidated balance sheet. If the fair value of the recorded asset retirement obligation changes, a revision is recorded to both the asset retirement obligation and the asset retirement cost. Revisions in estimated liabilities can result from changes in estimated inflation rates, changes in service and equipment costs and changes in the estimated timing of an asset’s retirement. Asset retirement costs are depreciated using a systematic and rational method similar to that used for the associated property and equipment. Accretion expense on the liability is recognized over the estimated productive life of the related assets.

Goodwill

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of an entity over the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The Company assesses the carrying amount of goodwill by testing for impairment annually and when impairment indicators arise. The impairment test requires allocating goodwill and all other assets and liabilities to assigned reporting units. Apache assesses each country as a reporting unit. The fair value of each unit is determined and compared to the book value of the reporting unit. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the book value, including goodwill, then goodwill is written down to the implied fair value of the goodwill through a charge to expense.

In order to determine the fair value of each reporting unit, the Company uses a combination of the income approach and the market approach. The income approach considers management views on current operating measures as well as assumptions pertaining to market forces in the oil and gas industry, such as future production, future commodity prices, and costs. These assumptions are applied to develop future cash flow projections that are then discounted to estimate fair value, using a discount rate similar to those used by the Company in the valuation of acquisitions and divestitures. To assess the reasonableness of its fair value estimate, the Company uses a market approach to compare the fair value to similar businesses whose securities are actively traded in the public market. This requires management to make certain judgments about the selection of comparable companies, recent comparable asset transactions, and transaction premiums. Associated market multiples are applied to various financial metrics of the reporting unit to estimate fair value. Apache has classified this reporting unit estimation as a non-recurring Level 3 fair value measurement in the fair value hierarchy.

As of December 31, 2013, goodwill totaled $1.4 billion, with approximately $1.0 billion, $163 million, $103 million, and $87 million recorded in the U.S., North Sea, Canada, and Egypt, respectively. Given the significant reduction in oil and gas commodity prices in December 2014, the Company tested goodwill for impairment as of December 31, 2014. Reductions in estimated net present value of expected future cash flows from oil and gas properties resulted in implied fair values below the carrying values of Apache’s U.S., North Sea, and Canada reporting units. No impairment was indicated for the Company’s Egypt reporting unit. As a result of these assessments, during the fourth quarter of 2014 the Company recognized non-cash impairments of the entire amount of recorded goodwill in the U.S., North Sea, and Canada reporting units of $1.0 billion, $163 million, and $103 million, respectively. These goodwill impairments have been recorded in “Impairments” in the Company’s statement of consolidated operations. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, total goodwill of $87 million remained recorded for the Egypt reporting unit.

Accounts Payable

Accounts Payable

Included in accounts payable at December 31, 2015 and 2014, are liabilities of approximately $129 million and $229 million, respectively, representing the amount by which checks issued but not presented to the Company’s banks for collection exceeded balances in applicable bank accounts.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies

Accruals for loss contingencies arising from claims, assessments, litigation, environmental and other sources are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. These accruals are adjusted as additional information becomes available or circumstances change.

Revenue Recognition and Imbalances

Revenue Recognition and Imbalances

Oil and gas revenues are recognized when production is sold to a purchaser at a fixed or determinable price, when delivery has occurred and title has transferred, and if collectability of the revenue is probable. Cash received relating to future revenues is deferred and recognized when all revenue recognition criteria are met.

Apache uses the sales method of accounting for gas production imbalances. The volumes of gas sold may differ from the volumes to which Apache is entitled based on its interests in the properties. These differences create imbalances that are recognized as a liability only when the properties’ estimated remaining reserves net to Apache will not be sufficient to enable the under-produced owner to recoup its entitled share through production. The Company’s recorded liability is generally reflected in other non-current liabilities. No receivables are recorded for those wells where Apache has taken less than its share of production. Gas imbalances are reflected as adjustments to estimates of proved gas reserves and future cash flows in the unaudited supplemental oil and gas disclosures.

Apache markets its own North American natural gas production. Since the Company’s production fluctuates because of operational issues, it is occasionally necessary to purchase third-party gas to fulfill sales obligations and commitments. Both the costs and sales proceeds of this third-party gas are reported on a net basis in oil and gas production revenues. The costs of third-party gas netted against the related sales proceeds totaled $37 million, $46 million, and $34 million, for 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively.

The Company’s Egyptian operations are conducted pursuant to production sharing contracts under which contractor partners pay all operating and capital costs for exploring and developing the concessions. A percentage of the production, generally up to 40 percent, is available to contractor partners to recover these operating and capital costs over contractually defined periods. Cost recovery is reflected in revenue. The balance of the production is split among the contractor partners and the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) on a contractually defined basis.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

Apache periodically enters into derivative contracts to manage its exposure to commodity price risk. These derivative contracts, which are generally placed with major financial institutions, may take the form of forward contracts, futures contracts, swaps, or options. The oil and gas reference prices upon which the commodity derivative contracts are based reflect various market indices that have a high degree of historical correlation with actual prices received by the Company for its oil and gas production. As of December 31, 2015, Apache had no open derivative positions.

When applicable, Apache records all derivative instruments, other than those that meet the normal purchases and sales exception, on the balance sheet as either an asset or liability measured at fair value. Changes in fair value are recognized currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. Gains and losses from the change in fair value of derivative instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting are reported in current-period income as “Derivative instrument gains (losses), net” under “Revenues and Other” in the statement of consolidated operations. Hedge accounting treatment allows unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedges to be deferred in other comprehensive income. Realized gains and losses from the Company’s oil and gas cash flow hedges, including terminated contracts, are generally recognized in oil and gas production revenues when the forecasted transaction occurs. If at any time the likelihood of occurrence of a hedged forecasted transaction ceases to be “probable,” hedge accounting treatment will cease on a prospective basis, and all future changes in the fair value of the derivative will be recognized directly in earnings. Amounts recorded in other comprehensive income prior to the change in the likelihood of occurrence of the forecasted transaction will remain in other comprehensive income until such time as the forecasted transaction impacts earnings. If it becomes probable that the original forecasted production will not occur, then the derivative gain or loss would be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into earnings immediately. Hedge effectiveness is measured at least quarterly based on the relative changes in fair value between the derivative contract and the hedged item over time, and any ineffectiveness is immediately reported as “Other” under “Revenues and Other” in the statement of consolidated operations.

General and Administrative Expense

General and Administrative Expense

General and administrative expenses are reported net of recoveries from owners in properties operated by Apache and net of amounts related to lease operating activities or capitalized pursuant to the full-cost method of accounting.

Income Taxes

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 ability to realize 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 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. For more information, please refer to Note 7—Income Taxes.

Foreign Currency Transaction Gains and Losses

Foreign Currency Transaction Gains and Losses

The U.S. dollar is the functional currency for each of Apache’s international operations. The functional currency is determined country-by-country based on relevant facts and circumstances of the cash flows, commodity pricing environment and financing arrangements in each country. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses arise when monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are remeasured to their U.S. dollar equivalent at the exchange rate in effect at the end of each reporting period. Foreign currency gains and losses also arise when revenue and disbursement transactions denominated in a country’s local currency are converted to a U.S. dollar equivalent based on the average exchange rates during the reporting period.

Foreign currency transaction gains and losses related to current taxes payable and deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded as components of the provision for income taxes. For further discussion, please refer to Note 7—Income Taxes. All other foreign currency transaction gains and losses are reflected in “Other” under “Revenues and Other” in the statement of consolidated operations. The Company’s other foreign currency gains and losses netted to a loss in 2015 of $11 million, a gain in 2014 of $8 million, and a loss in 2013 of $30 million.

Insurance Coverage

Insurance Coverage

The Company recognizes an insurance receivable when collection of the receivable is deemed probable. Any recognition of an insurance receivable is recorded by crediting and offsetting the original charge. Any differential arising between insurance recoveries and insurance receivables is recorded as a capitalized cost or as an expense, consistent with its original treatment.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share

The Company’s basic earnings per share (EPS) amounts have been computed based on the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects potential dilution, using the treasury stock method, which assumes that options were exercised and restricted stock was fully vested. The diluted EPS calculations for the year ended December 31, 2013, includes weighted-average shares of common stock from the assumed conversion of Apache’s convertible preferred stock.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation under the fair value recognition provisions of ASC Topic 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation.” The Company grants various types of stock-based awards including stock options, nonvested restricted stock units, and performance-based awards. Additionally, the Company also grants cash-based stock appreciation rights. These plans and related accounting policies are defined and described more fully in Note 10—Capital Stock. Stock compensation awards granted are valued on the date of grant and are expensed, net of estimated forfeitures, over the required service period.

ASC Topic 718 also requires that benefits of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation cost be reported as financing cash flows rather than as operating cash flows. The Company classified $1 million, $35,000, and $1 million as financing cash inflows in 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively.

Treasury Stock

Treasury Stock

The Company follows the weighted-average-cost method of accounting for treasury stock transactions.

New Pronouncements Issued But Not Yet Adopted

New Pronouncements Issued But Not Yet Adopted

In September 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2015-16, which eliminates the requirement that an acquirer in a business combination account for measurement-period adjustments retrospectively. Instead, an acquirer will recognize a measurement-period adjustment during the period in which it determines the amount of the adjustment, including amounts it would have recorded in previous periods if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. ASU 2015-16 is effective for fiscal years 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.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, which simplifies the subsequent measurement of inventory by requiring inventory to be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Entities will continue to apply their existing impairment models to inventories that are accounted for using last-in first-out and the retail inventory method. Under current guidance, net realizable value is one of several calculations an entity needs to make to measure inventory at the lower of cost or market. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company does not expect the adoption of this amendment to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, which simplifies the presentation of debt issuance costs. The new standard requires debt issuance costs to be presented as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the associated debt liability, whereas they are currently being presented as a component of “deferred charges and other” on the balance sheet. The new standard creates consistency in the way debt issuance costs and debt discounts are presented on the balance sheet and better aligns U.S. GAAP with International Financial Reporting Standards. ASU 2015-03 is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company will apply the change retrospectively and does not expect the adoption of this amendment to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

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. In July 2015, the FASB announced a delay in the effective date of the revenue standard by one year. The deferral results in the new revenue standard being effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. 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.