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Asset Retirement Obligations
 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]  
Asset Retirement Obligations
Asset Retirement Obligations
 
Asset retirement obligations (ARO) consist primarily of estimated costs of dismantlement, removal, site reclamation and similar activities associated with our oil and gas properties. Changes in asset retirement obligations were as follows: 
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2012
 
2011
(millions)
 
 
 
Asset Retirement Obligations, Beginning Balance
$
377

 
$
253

Liabilities Incurred
24

 
2

Liabilities Settled
(98
)
 
(19
)
Revision of Estimate
30

 
9

Accretion Expense
21

 
15

Other
(34
)
 
—

Asset Retirement Obligations, Ending Balance
$
320

 
$
260



Liabilities incurred in 2012 relate primarily to wells drilled offshore Israel and include costs to abandon the Leviathan-2 appraisal well. Liabilities settled relate primarily to certain North Sea and non-core onshore US property sales and the Leviathan-2 appraisal well. Revisions relate primarily to changes in estimated costs for future abandonment activities in China and Israel. Other includes ARO liabilities associated with certain North Sea properties held for sale. North Sea ARO liabilities have been included within liabilities associated with assets held for sale. See Note 2. Basis of Presentation and Note 3. Acquisitions and Divestitures.

Liabilities settled in 2011 related primarily to deepwater Gulf of Mexico and Gulf of Mexico shelf properties.
 
Accretion expense is included in DD&A expense in the consolidated statements of operations.