Acquisitions

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]

Acquisitions

3.Acquisitions

In May 2011, Anadarko increased its ownership interest in a natural-gas processing plant (Wattenberg Plant), located in northeast Colorado, by acquiring an additional 93% interest for $576 million. Anadarko operates and owns a 100% interest in the Wattenberg Plant.

In February 2011, WES, a consolidated subsidiary of the Company, acquired a natural-gas processing plant and related gathering systems (Platte Valley), located in northeast Colorado, for $302 million.

These acquisitions, along with future expansion plans, align Anadarko's natural-gas processing capacity with the Company's anticipated production growth in the Rocky Mountains Region (Rockies). In addition, these acquisitions position the Company to improve field recoveries and realize operational cost efficiencies.

The Wattenberg Plant and Platte Valley acquisitions constitute business combinations and were accounted for using the acquisition method. The following summarizes the preliminary fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition dates:

millions
Properties and equipment		$	298
Intangible assets			165
Deferred income taxes			31
Other assets			4
Other liabilities			(21)
Goodwill			362
	Total assets acquired and liabilities assumed		839
Less: Fair value of Anadarko's pre-acquisition 7% equity interest in the Wattenberg Plant			37
	Acquisition of midstream businesses		802
Loss on Anadarko's preexisting contracts with the previous Wattenberg Plant owner			76
	Total consideration paid	$	878

All fair-value measurements of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are based on inputs that are not observable in the market and thus represent Level 3 inputs. The fair value of acquired properties and equipment is based on market and cost approaches. Intangible assets consist of customer contracts, the fair value of which was determined using an income approach. Deferred tax assets represent the tax effects of differences in the tax basis and acquisition-date fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Liabilities assumed include asset retirement obligations existing at the date of acquisition, and are valued consistent with the Company's policy for estimating such obligations.

       Assets acquired and liabilities assumed are included within the midstream reporting segment, except for $335 million of goodwill and a portion of the related deferred tax asset recognized in connection with the Wattenberg Plant acquisition, which are included in the oil and gas exploration and production reporting segment. Goodwill of $469 million related to the Wattenberg Plant acquisition is amortizable for tax purposes.

       Goodwill from these acquisitions is included in the oil and gas exploration and production reporting segment and the midstream reporting segment based on the increase in fair value to each of the respective reporting segments. The increase in fair value to these reporting segments is derived from improved NGLs volume retention from equity production and the alignment of Company-controlled natural-gas processing capacity with future production growth plans in the Rockies. See Note 7—Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.

       Prior to the Wattenberg Plant acquisition, the Company was party to natural-gas processing contracts with the previous Wattenberg Plant owner. As a result of the acquisition, these preexisting contracts were terminated, causing the Company to recognize a $76 million loss, which is included in gains (losses) on divestitures and other, net in the Consolidated Statement of Income for the year ended December 31, 2011. This loss represents the aggregate amount by which the contracts were unfavorable as compared to current market transactions for the same or similar services at the date the Companyacquired the Wattenberg Plant.

       The Company also recognized a gain of $21 million from the acquisition-date fair-value remeasurement of its pre-acquisition 7% equity interest in the Wattenberg Plant. The gain is included in gains (losses) on divestitures and other, net in the Consolidated Statement of Income for the year ended December 31, 2011.

       Results of operations attributable to the Wattenberg Plant and Platte Valley acquisitions are included in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income from the dates acquired. The amounts of revenue and earnings included in the Company's Consolidated Statement of Income for the year ended December 31, 2011, and the amounts of revenue and earnings that would have been recognized had the acquisitions occurred on January 1, 2010, are not material to the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income.