BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Nature of Operations

Nature of Operations

McDermott International, Inc. (“MII”), a Panamanian corporation, is a leading engineering, procurement, construction and installation (“EPCI”) company focused on designing and executing complex offshore oil and gas projects worldwide. Providing fully integrated EPCI services, we deliver fixed and floating production facilities, pipeline installations and subsea systems from concept to commissioning. Operating in more than 20 countries across the Atlantic, Middle East and Asia Pacific, our integrated resources include approximately 13,500 employees and a diversified fleet of marine vessels, fabrication facilities and engineering offices. We support our activities with comprehensive project management and procurement services. We have fully integrated capabilities in both shallow water and deepwater construction. We believe we are among the few offshore construction contractors globally capable of providing this wide range of services in many of the larger offshore oil and gas producing regions in the world. We execute our contracts through a variety of methods, principally fixed-price, but also including cost reimbursable, cost-plus, day-rate and unit-rate basis or some combination of those methods. In this annual report on Form 10-K, unless the context otherwise indicates, “we,” “us” and “our” mean MII and its consolidated subsidiaries.

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

During the quarter ended September 30, 2010, we committed to a plan to sell our charter fleet business which operates 10 of the 14 vessels acquired in our 2007 acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Secunda International Limited (the “Secunda Acquisition”). Additionally, on July 30, 2010, we completed the spin-off of our previously reported Government Operations and Power Generation Systems segments into an independent, publicly traded company named The Babcock & Wilcox Company (“B&W”). The consolidated statements of income and the consolidated statements of cash flows reflect the historical operations of the charter fleet business and B&W as discontinued operations. The consolidated balance sheets reflect the charter fleet business as held for sale. The 2009 and 2010 statements of comprehensive income and consolidated statements of equity contain amounts attributable to discontinued operations. Accordingly, we have presented the notes to our consolidated financial statements on the basis of continuing operations. In addition, certain 2010 and 2009 amounts in the consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of cash flows have been reclassified to conform to the 2011 presentation.

We report financial results under reporting segments consisting of Asia Pacific, Atlantic and the Middle East. We also report certain corporate and other non-operating activities under Corporate and Other. Corporate and Other primarily reflects corporate personnel and activities, incentive compensation programs and other costs, which are generally fully allocated to our operating segments. For financial information about our segments, see Note 11—Segment Reporting.

We have presented our consolidated financial statements in U.S. Dollars in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of McDermott International, Inc., its subsidiaries and controlled entities. We use the equity method to account for investments in entities that we do not control, but over which we have significant influence. We generally refer to these entities as “joint ventures” or “unconsolidated affiliates.” We have eliminated intercompany transactions.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

We use estimates and assumptions to prepare our financial statements in conformity with GAAP. These estimates and assumptions affect the amounts we report in our financial statements and accompanying notes. Our actual results could differ from these estimates, and variances could materially affect our financial condition and results of operations in future periods.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

We determine the appropriate accounting method for each of our long-term contracts before work on the project begins. We generally recognize contract revenues and related costs on a percentage-of-completion method for individual contracts or combinations of contracts based on work performed, man hours, or a cost-to-cost method, as applicable to the activity involved. We include the amount of accumulated contract costs and estimated earnings that exceed billings to customers in contracts in progress. We include billings to customers that exceed accumulated contract costs and estimated earnings in advance billings on contracts. Most long-term contracts contain provisions for progress payments. We expect to invoice customers for all unbilled revenues. Certain costs are generally excluded from the cost-to-cost method of measuring progress, such as significant costs for materials and major third-party subcontractors. Total estimated costs, and resulting contract income, are affected by changes in the expected cost of materials and labor, productivity, scheduling and other factors. Additionally, external factors such as weather, customer requirements and other factors outside of our control may affect the progress and estimated cost of a project’s completion and, therefore, the timing and amount of revenue and income recognition. In addition, change orders, which are a normal and recurring part of our business, can increase (and sometimes substantially) the future scope and cost of a job. Therefore, change order awards (although frequently beneficial in the long term) can have the short-term effect of reducing the job percentage of completion and thus the revenues and profits recognized to date. We regularly review contract price and cost estimates as the work progresses and reflect adjustments in profit, proportionate to the job percentage of completion in the period when those estimates are revised.

For contracts as to which we are unable to estimate the final profitability except to assure that no loss will ultimately be incurred, we recognize equal amounts of revenue and cost until the final results can be estimated more precisely. For these contracts, we only recognize gross margin when reasonably estimable, which we generally determine to be when the contract is approximately 70% complete. We treat long-term construction contracts that contain such a level of risk and uncertainty that estimation of the final outcome is impractical, except to assure that no loss will be incurred, as deferred profit recognition contracts. Our Atlantic segment accounts for one project under our deferred profit recognition policy, under which we recognize revenue and cost equally and only recognize profit when probable and reasonably estimable, generally when the contract is approximately 70% complete. This project was awarded to one of our joint ventures, and the Atlantic segment’s backlog includes a subcontract from our joint venture, of which approximately $144 million relating to this project remains in backlog at December 31, 2011. This project contributed revenues and costs equally, totaling approximately $45 million for the year ended December 31, 2011.

Our policy is to account for fixed-price contracts under the completed contract method if we believe that we are unable to reasonably forecast cost to complete at start-up. Under the completed contract method, revenue and gross profit is recognized only when a contract is completed or substantially complete. We generally do not enter into fixed-price contracts without an estimate of cost to complete that we believe to be accurate. However, it is possible that in the time between contract execution and the start of work on a project, we could lose confidence in our ability to forecast cost to complete based on intervening events, including, but not limited to, experience on similar projects, civil unrest, strikes and volatility in our expected costs. In such a situation, we would use the completed contract method of accounting for that project. We did not enter into any contracts that we accounted for under the completed contract method during 2011, 2010 or 2009.

A risk associated with fixed-priced contracts is that revenue from customers may not cover increases in our costs. It is possible that current estimates could materially change for various reasons, including, but not limited to, fluctuations in forecasted labor productivity, pipeline lay rates or steel and other raw material prices. Increases in costs associated with our fixed-price contracts could have a material adverse impact on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Alternatively, reductions in overall contract costs at completion could materially improve our consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Variations from estimated contract performance could result in material adjustments to operating results for any fiscal quarter or year. We include claims for extra work or changes in scope of work, to the extent of costs incurred in contract revenues, when we believe collection is probable. For all contracts, if a current estimate of total contract cost indicates a loss, the projected loss is recognized in full when determined.

We include claims in contract value when we consider collection to be probable and the value can be reasonably estimated. Claim revenue is only recorded in our consolidated financial statements to the extent of associated costs. For the year ended December 31, 2011, approximately $12 million of revenues and costs are reflected in our consolidated financial statements pertaining to claims. Certain of our unconsolidated joint ventures also included approximately $13 million of claim revenue and costs in their financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2011. The amounts recorded for claims in the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 were not material to the consolidated financial statements. We continue to actively engage in negotiations with our customers. However, these claims may be resolved at amounts that differ from our current estimates, which could result in increases or decreases in future estimated contract profits or losses.

As of December 31, 2011, we have provided for our estimated costs to complete on all of our ongoing contracts. However, it is possible that current estimates could change due to unforeseen events, which could result in adjustments to overall contract costs.

Loss Contingencies

Loss Contingencies

We record liabilities for loss contingencies when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss is reasonably estimable. We provide disclosure when there is a reasonable possibility that the ultimate loss will exceed the recorded provision or if such loss is not reasonably estimable. We are currently involved in litigation and other proceedings, as discussed in Note 13. We have accrued our estimates of the probable losses associated with these matters. However, our losses are typically resolved over long periods of time and are often difficult to estimate due to various factors, including the possibility of multiple actions by third parties. Therefore, it is possible future earnings could be affected by changes in our estimates related to these matters.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Our cash and cash equivalents are highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when we purchase them.

We record current cash and cash equivalents as restricted when we are unable to freely use such cash and cash equivalents for our general operating purposes. At December 31, 2011, we had current restricted cash and cash equivalents totaling $22.0 million, of which $20.0 million was held in restricted foreign-entity accounts and $2.0 million was held to meet reinsurance reserve requirements of our captive insurance subsidiary.

Investments

Investments

We classify investments available for current operations in the balance sheet as current assets, and we classify investments held for long-term purposes as noncurrent assets. We adjust the amortized cost of debt securities for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity. That amortization is included in interest income. We include realized gains and losses on our investments in other income (expense)—net. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method. We include interest on securities in interest income.

Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates

Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates

We use the equity method of accounting for affiliates in which our investment ownership ranges from 20% to 50%. Currently, most of our significant investments in affiliates that are not consolidated are recorded using the equity method. Investments in affiliates where our ownership interest is less than 20% and where we are unable to exert significant influence are carried at cost.

Accounts Receivable-Trade, net

Accounts Receivable—Trade, net

A summary of contract receivables is as follows:

	December 31,
	2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Contract receivables:
Contracts in progress	$	371,223		$	191,216
Completed contracts		28,369			85,587
Retainages		65,248			63,558
Unbilled		5,650			12,697
Less allowances		(24,682	)		(29,561	)
Accounts receivable—trade, net	$	445,808		$	323,497

We expect to invoice our unbilled receivables once certain milestones or other metrics are reached, and we expect to collect all unbilled amounts. We believe that our provision for losses on uncollectible accounts receivable is adequate for our credit loss exposure.

The following amounts represent retainages on contracts:

	December 31,
	2011		2010
	(In thousands)
Retainages expected to be collected within one year	$	65,248	$	63,558
Retainages expected to be collected after one year		74,539		83,143
Total retainages	$	139,787	$	146,701

We have included in accounts receivable—trade, net, retainages expected to be collected in 2012. Retainages expected to be collected after one year are included in other assets. Of the long-term retainages at December 31, 2011, we anticipate collecting $63.1 million in 2013 and $11.4 million in 2014.

A summary of allowances is as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Balance at beginning of period	$	(29,561	)	$	(42,246	)
Charged to costs and expenses		(31,897	)		(8,108	)
Write-offs/recoveries		36,776			20,793
Balance at end of period	$	(24,682	)	$	(29,561	)

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In addition to defining fair value, the authoritative accounting guidance expands disclosures about fair value measurements and establishes a hierarchy for valuation inputs that emphasizes the use of observable inputs when measuring fair value. A financial instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The fair value hierarchy established by this topic is broken down as follows:

• Level 1—inputs are based upon quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active markets.

• Level 2—inputs are based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for similar or identical instruments in inactive markets and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets and liabilities.

• Level 3—inputs are generally unobservable and typically reflect management’s estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. The fair values are therefore determined using model-based techniques that include option pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar valuation techniques.

The carrying amounts that we have reported for financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivables and accounts payable approximate their fair values. See Note 7—Fair Values of Financial Instruments, for additional information regarding fair value measurements.

Derivative Financial Instruments

Derivative Financial Instruments

Our worldwide operations give rise to exposure to changes in certain market conditions, which may adversely impact our financial performance. When we deem it appropriate, we use derivatives as a risk management tool to mitigate the potential impacts of certain market risks. The primary market risk we manage through the use of derivative instruments is movement in foreign currency exchange rates. We use foreign currency derivative contracts to reduce the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on our operating results. We use these instruments to hedge our exposure associated with revenues and/or costs on our long-term contracts and other cash flow exposures that are denominated in currencies other than our operating entities’ functional currencies. We do not hold or issue financial instruments for trading or other speculative purposes.

In certain cases, contracts with our customers may contain provisions under which payments from our customers are denominated in U.S. Dollars and in a foreign currency. The payments denominated in a foreign currency are designed to compensate us for costs that we expect to incur in such foreign currency. In these cases, we may use derivative instruments to reduce the risks associated with foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations arising from differences in timing of our foreign currency cash inflows and outflows.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Concentration of Credit Risk

Our principal customers are businesses in the offshore oil and gas industry. This concentration of customers may impact our overall exposure to credit risk, either positively or negatively, in that our customers may be similarly affected by changes in economic or other conditions. In addition, we and many of our customers operate worldwide and are therefore exposed to risks associated with the economic and political forces of various countries and geographic areas. We generally do not obtain any collateral for our receivables. See Note 11 for additional information about our operations in different geographic areas.

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign Currency Translation

We translate assets and liabilities of our foreign operations, other than operations in highly inflationary economies, into U.S. Dollars at year-end exchange rates, and we translate income statement items at average exchange rates for the periods presented. We record adjustments resulting from the translation of foreign currency financial statements as a component of other comprehensive income, net of tax.

Capitalization of Interest Cost

Capitalization of Interest Cost

We incurred total interest of $9.3 million, $14.6 million and $11.7 million in the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. We capitalized $8.8 million, $12.0 million and $12.6 million of interest cost in the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings per Share

We have computed earnings per common share on the basis of the weighted average number of common shares, and, where dilutive, common share equivalents, outstanding during the indicated periods. See Note 10—Earnings per Share, for our computations.

Comprehensive Loss

Comprehensive Loss

The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”) included in stockholders’ equity are as follows:

	December 31,
	2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	$	(12,438	)	$	(6,888	)
Net loss on investments		(4,403	)		(4,330	)
Net (gain) loss on derivative financial instruments		3,089			(855	)
Unrecognized losses on benefit obligations(1)		(88,278	)		(151,644	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(102,030	)	$	(163,717	)

(1) Amortization of benefit plan costs in the consolidated statements of equity is shown net of $0 and $18.6 million of taxes as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Future amortization will not reflect a tax benefit until those benefits can be recognized and the existing deferred tax benefits will not change significantly.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation

Equity instruments are measured at fair value on the grant date. Stock-based compensation expense is generally recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods of the awards. We use a Black-Scholes model to determine the fair value of certain share-based awards, such as stock options. Additionally, we use a Monte Carlo model to determine the fair value of certain share-based awards that contain market and performance-based conditions. The use of these models requires highly subjective assumptions, such as assumptions about the expected life of the award, vesting probability, expected dividend yield and the volatility of our stock price.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment

We carry our property, plant and equipment at depreciated cost. Except for major marine vessels, we depreciate our property, plant and equipment using the straight-line method over estimated economic useful lives of eight to 33 years for buildings and three to 28 years for machinery and equipment. We depreciate major marine vessels using the units-of-production method based on the utilization of each vessel. We do not depreciate property, plant and equipment classified as held for sale. Our depreciation expense was $82.2 million, $75.8 million and $79.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. A summary of property, plant and equipment by asset category is as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Marine Vessels	$	812,322		$	823,894
Construction Equipment		545,765			498,065
Construction in Progress		343,555			157,081
Buildings		136,587			135,673
All other		120,648			105,327
Total Cost		1,958,877			1,720,040
Accumulated Depreciation		(857,012	)		(804,471	)
Net Book Value	$	1,101,865		$	915,569

We expense the costs of maintenance, repairs and renewals, which do not materially prolong the useful life of an asset, as we incur them, except for drydocking costs. We capitalize drydocking costs in other assets when incurred and amortize the costs over the period of time between drydockings, which is generally three to five years.

Impairment Review

Impairment Review

We do not amortize goodwill but instead review goodwill for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently if circumstances indicate that an impairment may exist. The annual impairment review involves comparing the fair value to the net book value of each applicable reporting unit and, therefore, is significantly impacted by estimates and judgments.

We review our long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If an evaluation is required, the fair value of each applicable asset is compared to its carrying value. Factors that impact our determination of potential impairment include forecasted utilization of equipment and estimates of forecasted cash flows from projects expected to be performed in future periods. Our estimates of cash flow may differ from actual cash flow due to, among other things, technological changes, economic conditions or changes in operating performance. Any changes in such factors may negatively affect our business segments and result in future asset impairments.

For the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, we recognized impairment charges of $5.5 million and $24.4 million, respectively, in our consolidated statements of income on certain vessels we plan to retain from the Secunda Acquisition. We used an appraised value to determine the impairment and we consider that fair value measurement as Level 2. In addition, we recognized a write-down of our charter fleet business, which is classified as discontinued operations and discussed in Note 2.

Goodwill

Goodwill

The following summarizes the carrying amount of goodwill by segment at December 31, 2011 and 2010:

Asia Pacific	Middle East	Total
$19,777	$21,425	$41,202

We completed our annual review of goodwill for our Asia Pacific and Middle East segments as of December 31, 2011, which indicated that the fair value for each of those segments was significantly in excess of the carrying amount, resulting in no goodwill impairment.

Other Non-Current Assets

Other Non-Current Assets

We have included deferred debt issuance costs in other assets. We amortize deferred debt issuance cost as interest expense over the life of the related debt. The following summarizes the changes in the carrying amount of these assets:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Balance at beginning of period	$	16,073		$	4,635
Deferred debt issuance costs and performance guarantees		4,944			17,881
Reductions and other transfers		—			(181	)
Interest expense—debt issuance costs		(3,892	)		(6,262	)
Balance at end of period	$	17,125		$	16,073

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

We provide for income taxes based on the tax laws and rates in the countries in which we conduct our operations. MII is a Panamanian corporation that earns all of its income outside of Panama. As a result, we are not subject to income tax in Panama. We operate in various taxing jurisdictions around the world. Each of these jurisdictions has a regime of taxation that varies, not only with respect to nominal rates, but also with respect to the basis on which these rates are applied. These variations, along with changes in our mix of income from these jurisdictions, contribute to shifts in our effective tax rate.

We believe that our deferred tax assets recorded as of December 31, 2011 are realizable through carrybacks, future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences and future taxable income. We record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. If we subsequently determine that we will be able to realize deferred tax assets in the future in excess of our net recorded amount, the resulting adjustment would increase earnings for the period in which such determination was made. We will continue to assess the adequacy of the valuation allowance on a quarterly basis. Any changes to our estimated valuation allowance could be material to our consolidated financial condition and results of operations.

Insurance and Self-Insurance

Insurance and Self-Insurance

We have a wholly owned insurance subsidiary that provides employer’s liability, general and automotive liability and workers’ compensation insurance and, from time to time, builder’s risk insurance, within certain limits, and marine hull insurance to our companies. Reserves related to these insurance programs are based on the facts and circumstances specific to the insurance claims, our past experience with similar claims, loss factors and the performance of the outside insurance market for the type of risk at issue. The actual outcome of insured claims could differ significantly from estimated amounts. We maintain actuarially determined accruals in our consolidated balance sheets to cover self-insurance retentions for the coverages discussed above. These accruals are based on assumptions developed utilizing historical data to project future losses. Loss estimates in the calculation of these accruals are adjusted as required based upon actual claim settlements and reported claims. These loss estimates and accruals recorded in our financial statements for claims have historically been reasonable. Claims as a result of our operations could adversely impact the ability of our captive insurance subsidiary to respond to all claims presented. We reduced our self-insurance accruals, in part due to improved safety performance by $17.3 million, $2.4 million and $4.6 million during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and recognized these reductions in cost of operations in our consolidated statements of income.

Upon the February 22, 2006 effectiveness of the settlement relating to the Chapter 11 proceedings involving several B&W subsidiaries, most of our subsidiaries contributed substantial insurance rights to the asbestos personal injury trust. These insurance rights provided coverage for, among other things, asbestos and other personal injury claims, subject to the terms and conditions of the policies. With the contribution of these insurance rights to the asbestos personal injury trust, we may have underinsured or uninsured exposure for non-derivative asbestos claims or other personal injury or other claims that would have been insured under these coverages had the insurance rights not been contributed to the asbestos personal injury trust.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In September 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an update to the topic Intangibles—Goodwill and Other. This update amends current guidance on the testing of goodwill for impairment, by providing an entity with the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, prior to calculating the fair value of the reporting unit. The update is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of this update did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued an update to the topic Comprehensive Income. This update eliminates the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of equity and requires those components to instead be presented as one continuous statement with the statement of operations or as a separate, consecutive financial statement. The update is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of this update did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In January 2010, the FASB issued a revision to the topic Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. This revision sets forth new rules on providing enhanced information for Level 3 measurements. We adopted the disclosure provisions required by this revision on January 1, 2011, for both interim and annual disclosures, which did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Each reporting period we consider all newly issued but not yet adopted accounting and reporting guidance applicable to our operations and the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.