CAPITALIZED EXPLORATORY WELL COSTS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

The following summarizes the changes in capitalized exploratory well costs for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018. Additions pending the determination of proved reserves excludes amounts capitalized and subsequently charged to expense within the same year.


	For the Year Ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
	(In millions)
Capitalized well costs at beginning of year	$	141	$	159	$	350
Additions pending determination of proved reserves	226		286		602
Divestitures and other	(38)		(100)		(82)
Reclassifications to proved properties	(56)		(179)		(647)
Charged to exploration expense	(76)		(25)		(64)
Capitalized well costs at end of year	$	197	$	141	$	159

The following provides an aging of capitalized exploratory well costs and the number of projects for which exploratory well costs have been capitalized for a period greater than one year since the completion of drilling as of December 31:


	2020		2019		2018
	(In millions)
Exploratory well costs capitalized for a period of one year or less	$	184	$	108	$	126
Exploratory well costs capitalized for a period greater than one year	13		33		33
Capitalized well costs at end of year	$	197	$	141	$	159

Number of projects with exploratory well costs capitalized for a period greater than one year	5		2		2

Suspended exploratory well costs capitalized for a period greater than one year since the completion of drilling at December 31, 2020, relate to onshore projects in Egypt. Drilling activity and testing has continued for these projects throughout 2020, and these projects are currently being evaluated for potential development.

Suspended exploratory well costs capitalized for a period greater than one year since the completion of drilling at December 31, 2019, relate to separate onshore projects in the United States and Egypt. The costs related to the U.S. projects were charged to exploration expense in the current year based on management’s assessment and development efforts through year end.

Suspended exploratory well costs capitalized for a period greater than one year since the completion of drilling at December 31, 2018, included $28 million related to exploratory drilling in Suriname. In December 2019, Apache entered into the joint venture agreement with Total S.A., pursuant to which Apache sold 50 percent of its ownership interest in Block 58 to Total S.A. Proceeds received from Total S.A. upon closing were applied against the carrying value of its Suriname properties.

The following table summarizes aging by geographic area of those exploratory well costs that, as of December 31, 2020, have been capitalized for a period greater than one year, categorized by the year in which drilling was completed:


	Total		2019		2018		2017 and Prior
	(In millions)

Egypt	$	13	$	4	$	9	$	—
	$	13	$	4	$	9	$	—