BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Nature of Operations

Nature of Operations

McDermott International, Inc. (“MII”), a corporation incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Panama, 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 for oil and gas field developments, we deliver fixed and floating production facilities, pipeline and subsea systems from concept to commissioning. We support these activities with comprehensive project management and procurement services. Our customers include national, major integrated and other oil and gas companies, and we operate in most major offshore oil and gas producing regions throughout the world. In these notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements, unless the context otherwise indicates, “we,” “us” and “our” mean MII and its consolidated subsidiaries.

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

We have presented our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in U.S. Dollars, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) applicable to interim reporting. Financial information and disclosures normally included in our financial statements prepared annually in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted. Readers of these financial statements should, therefore, refer to the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

We have included all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of McDermott International, Inc., its consolidated 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 and accounts.

On March 19, 2012, we completed the sale of our former charter fleet business, which operated 10 of the 14 vessels acquired in our 2007 acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Secunda International Limited (the “Secunda Acquisition”). The condensed consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, cash flows and equity reflect the historical operations of the charter fleet business as a discontinued operation through March 19, 2012. The consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2011 reflects the charter fleet business as held for sale. Accordingly, we have presented the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements on the basis of continuing operations. In addition, certain 2011 amounts in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows have been reclassified to conform to the 2012 presentation.

Business Segments

Business Segments

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 the heading “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. See Note 8 for summarized financial information on our segments.

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. We currently have two projects that we account for under our deferred profit recognition policy. These projects contributed revenues equal to costs totaling approximately $10 million and $7.9 million for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

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 the 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 have accounted for under the completed contract method during the quarters ended March 31, 2012 and March 31, 2011.

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.

We include claims revenue for extra work or changes in scope of work 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 three months ended March 31, 2012, approximately $10 million of revenues equal to costs are reflected in our condensed consolidated financial statements pertaining to claims. Certain of our unconsolidated joint ventures also included approximately $4 million of claim revenue and costs in their financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2012. The amounts recorded for claims in the three months ended March 31, 2011 were not material to the condensed 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 March 31, 2012, 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. Variations from estimated contract performance could result in material adjustments to operating results for any fiscal quarter or year. For all contracts, if a current estimate of total contract cost indicates a loss, the projected loss is recognized in full when determined.

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.

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 9. We have accrued our estimates of the probable losses associated with these matters and associated legal costs are recognized in selling, general and administrative expenses as incurred. 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 March 31, 2012, we had current restricted cash and cash equivalents totaling $24.8 million, all of which was held in restricted foreign-entity accounts.

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 expense—net. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method. We include interest earned 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 entities 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:

	March 31, 2012			December 31, 2011
	(Unaudited)
	(In thousands)
Contract receivables:
Contracts in progress	$	298,174		$	371,223
Completed contracts		29,570			28,369
Retainages		86,219			65,248
Unbilled		5,300			5,650
Less allowances		(30,890	)		(24,682	)
Accounts receivable—trade, net	$	388,373		$	445,808

We expect to invoice our unbilled receivables once contractually specified 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:

	March 31, 2012		December 31, 2011
	(Unaudited)
	(In thousands)
Retainages expected to be collected within one year	$	86,219	$	65,248
Retainages expected to be collected after one year		65,042		74,539
Total retainages	$	151,261	$	139,787

We have included in accounts receivable—trade, net, retainages expected to be collected within one year. Retainages expected to be collected after one year are included in other assets.

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 5 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.

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 period-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.

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 7 for our earnings per share computations.

Comprehensive Loss

Comprehensive Loss

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

	March 31, 2012			December 31, 2011
	(Unaudited)
	(In thousands)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	$	(9,325	)	$	(12,438	)
Net loss on investments		(3,706	)		(4,403	)
Net gain (loss) on derivative financial instruments		(1,657	)		3,089
Unrecognized losses on benefit obligations		(85,233	)		(88,278	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(99,921	)	$	(102,030	)

Impairment Review

Impairment Review

We 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.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an update to the topic Fair Value Measurement. This update provides guidance about how fair value should be applied where it is already required or permitted under GAAP. The update does not extend the use of fair value or require additional fair value measurements, but rather provides explanations about how to measure fair value and requires prospective application. 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 condensed 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 condensed consolidated financial statements.

In September 2011, the 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 condensed consolidated financial statements.