SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Preparation of financial statements in conformity with 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, the assessment of asset retirement obligations, the estimates of fair value for long-lived assets, and the estimate of income taxes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

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, “Fair Value Measurement” (ASC 820), 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 4—Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities and Note 8—Debt and Financing Costs.

Apache also uses fair value measurements on a nonrecurring basis when certain qualitative assessments of its assets indicate a potential impairment. For the third quarter and nine-month period ended September 30, 2018, the Company recorded asset impairments in connection with fair value assessments totaling $10 million. In the third quarter of 2018, Apache agreed to sell certain of its unproved properties offshore the U.K. in the North Sea (North Sea). As a result, the Company performed a fair value assessment of the properties and recorded a $10 million impairment on the carrying values of the associated capitalized exploratory well costs. The fair value of the impaired assets was determined using the negotiated sales price, a Level 1 fair value measurement.

The Company recorded no asset impairments in connection with fair value assessments in the third quarter of 2017. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017, the Company recorded asset impairments in connection with fair value assessments totaling $8 million for a United Kingdom (U.K.) Petroleum Revenue Tax (PRT) decommissioning asset that is no longer expected to be realizable from future abandonment activities in the North Sea.

In 2016, the U.K. government enacted Finance Bill 2016, providing tax relief to exploration and production (E&P) companies operating in the U.K. North Sea. Under the enacted legislation, the U.K. PRT rate was reduced to zero from the previously enacted 35 percent rate in effect from January 1, 2016. PRT expense ceased prospectively from that date. During the first quarter of 2017, the Company fully impaired the aggregate remaining value of the recoverable PRT decommissioning asset of $8 million that would have been realized from future abandonment activities. The recoverable value of the PRT decommissioning asset was estimated using the income approach. The expected future cash flows used in the determination were based on anticipated spending and timing of planned future abandonment activities for applicable fields, considering all available information at the date of review. Apache has classified this fair value measurement as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

Oil and Gas Property

The Company follows the successful efforts method of accounting for its oil and gas property. Under this method of accounting, exploration costs such as exploratory geological and geophysical costs, delay rentals, and exploration overhead are expensed as incurred. If an exploratory well provides evidence to justify potential development of reserves, drilling costs associated with the well are initially capitalized, or suspended, pending a determination as to whether a commercially sufficient quantity of proved reserves can be attributed to the area as a result of drilling. This determination may take longer than one year in certain areas depending on, among other things, the amount of hydrocarbons discovered, the outcome of planned geological and engineering studies, the need for additional appraisal drilling activities to determine whether the discovery is sufficient to support an economic development plan, and government sanctioning of development activities in certain international locations. At the end of each quarter, management reviews the status of all suspended exploratory well costs in light of ongoing exploration activities; in particular, whether the Company is making sufficient progress in its ongoing exploration and appraisal efforts or, in the case of discoveries requiring government sanctioning, whether development negotiations are underway and proceeding as planned. If management determines that future appraisal drilling or development activities are unlikely to occur, associated suspended exploratory well costs are expensed.

Acquisition costs of unproved properties are assessed for impairment at least annually and are transferred to proved oil and gas properties to the extent the costs are associated with successful exploration activities. Significant undeveloped leases are assessed individually for impairment based on the Company’s current exploration plans. Unproved oil and gas properties with individually insignificant lease acquisition costs are amortized on a group basis over the average lease term at rates that provide for full amortization of unsuccessful leases upon lease expiration or abandonment. Costs of expired or abandoned leases are charged to exploration expense, while costs of productive leases are transferred to proved oil and gas properties. Costs of maintaining and retaining unproved properties, as well as amortization of individually insignificant leases and impairment of unsuccessful leases, are included in exploration costs in the statement of consolidated operations.

Costs to develop proved reserves, including the costs of all development wells and related equipment used in the production of crude oil and natural gas, are capitalized. Depreciation of the cost of proved oil and gas properties is calculated using the unit-of-production (UOP) method. The UOP calculation multiplies the percentage of estimated proved reserves produced each quarter by the carrying value of those reserves. The reserve base used to calculate depreciation for leasehold acquisition costs and the cost to acquire proved properties is the sum of proved developed reserves and proved undeveloped reserves. The reserve base used to calculate the depreciation for capitalized costs for exploratory and development wells is the sum of proved developed reserves only. Estimated future dismantlement, restoration and abandonment costs, net of salvage values, are included in the depreciable cost.

Oil and gas properties are grouped for depreciation in accordance with ASC 932 “Extractive Activities—Oil and Gas.” The basis for grouping is a reasonable aggregation of properties with a common geological structural feature or stratigraphic condition, such as a reservoir or field.

When circumstances indicate that proved oil and gas properties may be impaired, the Company compares unamortized capitalized costs to the expected undiscounted pre-tax future cash flows for the associated assets grouped at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are independent of cash flows of other assets. If the expected undiscounted pre-tax future cash flows, based on Apache’s estimate of future crude oil and natural gas prices, operating costs, anticipated production from proved reserves and other relevant data, are lower than the unamortized capitalized cost, the capitalized cost is reduced to fair value. Fair value is generally estimated using the income approach described in ASC 820. If applicable, the Company utilizes prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving assets and liabilities that are identical or comparable to the item being measured as the basis for determining fair value. The expected future cash flows used for impairment reviews and related fair value calculations are typically based on judgmental assessments of future production volumes, commodity prices, operating costs, and capital investment plans, considering all available information at the date of review. These assumptions are applied to develop future cash flow projections that are then discounted to estimated fair value, using a discount rate believed to be consistent with those applied by market participants. Apache has classified these fair value measurements as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

The following table represents non-cash impairments of the carrying value of the Company’s proved and unproved property for the third quarters and first nine months of 2018 and 2017:



	For the Quarter Ended September 30,				For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
	(In millions)
Oil and Gas Property:
Proved	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Unproved	49		160		86		214

On the statement of consolidated operations, unproved leasehold impairments are recorded in exploration expense, and all other impairments of proved and unproved properties based on fair value assessments are recorded separately in impairments.

Revenue Recognition

On January 1, 2018, Apache adopted ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC 606),” using the modified retrospective method. The Company elected to evaluate all contracts at the date of initial application. While there was no impact to the opening balance of retained earnings as a result of the adoption, certain items previously netted in revenue are now recognized as “Gathering, transmission, and processing” in the Company’s statement of consolidated operations. The amounts reclassified are immaterial to the financial statements, and prior comparative periods have not been restated and continue to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods. Adoption of the new standard is not anticipated to have a material impact on the Company’s net earnings on an ongoing basis.

The Company applies the provisions of ASC 606 for revenue recognition to contracts with customers. Sales of crude oil, natural gas, and NGLs are included in revenue when production is sold to a customer in fulfillment of performance obligations under the terms of agreed contracts. Performance obligations primarily comprise delivery of oil, gas, or NGLs at a delivery point, as negotiated within each contract. Each barrel of oil, million Btu (MMBtu) of natural gas, or other unit of measure is separately identifiable and represents a distinct performance obligation to which the transaction price is allocated. Performance obligations are satisfied at a point in time once control of the product has been transferred to the customer. The Company considers a variety of facts and circumstances in assessing the point of control transfer, including but not limited to: whether the purchaser can direct the use of the hydrocarbons, the transfer of significant risks and rewards, the Company’s right to payment, and transfer of legal title. In each case, the term between delivery and when payments are due is not significant.

Apache markets its own United States (U.S.) natural gas and crude oil production based on market-priced contracts. Typically, these contracts are adjusted for quality, transportation, and other market-reflective differentials. Since the Company’s production may fluctuate as a result of operational issues, it is occasionally necessary to purchase third-party oil and gas to fulfill sales obligations and commitments. Sales proceeds related to third-party purchased oil and gas are determined to be revenue from a customer. Proceeds for these volumes totaled $124 million and $326 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2018, respectively. Associated purchase costs for these volumes totaled $109 million and $308 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2018, respectively. Proceeds and costs are both recorded as “Other” under “Revenues and Other” in the statement of consolidated operations.

Internationally, Apache sells its North Sea crude oil under contracts with a market-based index price. Natural gas from the North Sea Beryl field is processed through the SAGE gas plant. The gas is sold to a third party at the St. Fergus entry point of the national grid on a National Balancing Point index price basis. Apache’s gas production in Egypt is sold primarily under an industry-pricing formula, a sliding scale based on Dated Brent crude oil with a minimum of $1.50 per MMBtu and a maximum of $2.65 per MMBtu, plus an upward adjustment for liquids content. The Company’s Egypt oil production is sold at prices equivalent to the export market.

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. The balance of the production is split among the contractor partners and the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) on a contractually defined basis. Additionally, the contractor partner’s income taxes, which remain the liability of the contractor partners under domestic law, are paid by EGPC on behalf of the contractor partners out of EGPC’s production entitlement. Income taxes paid to the Arab Republic of Egypt on behalf of Apache as contract partner are recognized as oil and gas sales revenue and income tax expense and reflected as production and estimated reserves. Revenues related to Egypt’s tax volumes are considered revenue from a non-customer.

For the third quarter of 2018, revenues from customers and non-customers were $1.9 billion and $198 million, respectively. For the first nine months of 2018, revenues from customers and non-customers were $5.4 billion and $534 million, respectively.

Apache records trade accounts receivable for its unconditional rights to consideration arising under sales contracts with customers. The carrying value of such receivables, net of the allowance for doubtful accounts, represents estimated net realizable value. The Company routinely assesses the collectability of all material trade and other receivables. 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. Receivables from contracts with customers, net of allowance for doubtful accounts, totaled $1.3 billion and $1.1 billion as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

Apache has concluded that disaggregating revenue by geographic area and by product appropriately depicts how the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors. Refer to Note 11—Business Segment Information for a disaggregation of revenue by each product sold.

Practical Expedients and Exemptions

Apache does not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for contracts with an original expected length of one year or less or contracts for which variable consideration is allocated entirely to a wholly unsatisfied performance obligation.

Apache will utilize the practical expedient to expense incremental costs of obtaining a contract if the expected amortization period is one year or less. Costs to obtain a contract with expected amortization periods of greater than one year will be recorded as an asset and will be recognized in accordance with ASC 340, “Other Assets and Deferred Costs.” Currently, the Company does not have contract assets related to incremental costs to obtain a contract.

New Pronouncements Issued But Not Yet Adopted

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842),” requiring lessees to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities for most leases classified as operating leases under previous GAAP. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted; however, the Company does not intend to early adopt. In January 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-01, which permits an entity an optional election to not evaluate under ASU 2016-02 those existing or expired land easements that were not previously accounted for as leases prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-02. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, which adds a transition option permitting entities to apply the provisions of the new standard at its adoption date instead of the earliest comparative period presented in the consolidated financial statements. Under this transition option, comparative reporting would not be required, and the provisions of the standard would be applied prospectively to leases in effect at the date of adoption. Apache intends to elect both transitional practical expedients.

In the normal course of business, the Company enters into various lease agreements for real estate, aircraft, and equipment related to its exploration and development activities that are currently accounted for as operating leases. To track these lease arrangements and facilitate compliance with this ASU, the Company is in the process of implementing a third-party lease accounting software solution and designing processes and internal controls. The Company continues to evaluate contracts, train departments affected by the standard, and monitor updates to the standard to determine the impact this ASU will have on its consolidated financial statements. At this time, the Company cannot reasonably estimate the financial impact this will have on its consolidated financial statements; however, the Company believes adoption and implementation of this ASU will significantly impact its balance sheet, resulting in an increase in both assets and liabilities relating to its leasing activities.

In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-07, “Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting,” to simplify the accounting for share-based transactions by expanding the scope of Topic 718 from only being applicable to share-based payments to employees to also include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees. As a result, the same guidance that provides for employee share-based payments, including most of the requirements related to classification and measurement, applies to nonemployee share-based payment arrangements. ASU 2018-07 is effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted. The Company anticipates adopting this guidance for the first quarter of 2019 and does not expect it to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, “Disclosure Framework: Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement,” which changes the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements by removing, adding, and modifying certain disclosures. ASU 2018-13 is effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted. The company is currently evaluating the impact of adoption of this ASU on its related disclosures and does not expect it to have a material impact on its financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14, “Disclosure Framework: Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans,” which eliminates, modifies, and adds disclosure requirements for defined benefit plans. The ASU is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adoption of this ASU on its related disclosures and does not expect it to have a material impact on its financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, “Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract.” This pronouncement clarifies the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs in cloud computing arrangements and aligns them with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. This pronouncement is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in any interim period for which financial statements have not been issued. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adoption of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements and does not expect it to have a material impact.