New Accounting Principles and Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]

Nature of Business

NATURE OF BUSINESS – Murphy Oil Corporation is an international oil and gas company that conducts its business through various operating subsidiaries.  The Company primarily produces oil and natural gas in the United States and Canada and conducts oil and natural gas exploration activities worldwide.

Accounting Principles Adopted and Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting Principles Adopted

Financial Instruments – Credit Losses. In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-13 which replaces the impairment model for most financial assets, including trade receivables, from the incurred loss methodology to a forward-looking expected loss model that will result in earlier recognition of credit losses. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted, and is to be applied on a modified retrospective basis. The Company adopted this accounting standard in the first quarter of 2020 and it did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Fair Value Measurement.  In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13 which modifies disclosure requirements related to fair value measurement.  The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019.  Implementation on a prospective or retrospective basis varies by specific disclosure requirement.  Early adoption is permitted. The standard also allows for early adoption of any removed or modified disclosures upon issuance of this ASU while delaying adoption of the additional disclosures until their effective date. The Company adopted this accounting standard in the first quarter of 2020 and it did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Income Taxes.  In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, which removes certain exceptions for investments, intraperiod allocations and interim calculations, and adds guidance to reduce complexity in accounting for income taxes. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020. Implementation on a prospective or retrospective basis varies by specific topics within the ASU.  Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the potential impact of this ASU to its consolidated financial statements.

Compensation-Retirement Benefits-Defined Benefit Plans-General.  In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14 which modifies the disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans.  For public companies, the amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted, and is to be applied on a retrospective basis to all periods presented. The Company is currently assessing the potential impact of this ASU to its consolidated financial statements.