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Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Policies]  
Use of estimates policy
Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclose contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Principles of consolidation policy
Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of our wholly owned subsidiaries. Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures in which we participate are accounted for using the equity method. Our interests in oil and gas properties are proportionately consolidated. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Reclassifications policy
Reclassifications

Certain previously reported financial information has been reclassified to conform to the current year's presentation.
Cash and cash equivalents policy
Cash Equivalents

We consider all highly liquid investments, with a maturity of three months or less when purchased, to be cash equivalents. Approximately $17.5 million of our consolidated cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2011 is held by Compressco Partners, L.P., and is unavailable for our general purposes.
Restricted cash policy
Restricted Cash

Restricted cash is classified as a current asset when it is expected to be repaid or settled in the next twelve month period. Restricted cash on our balance sheet as of December 31, 2011, consists primarily of escrowed cash associated with our July 2011 purchase of a new heavy lift derrick barge. The escrowed cash will be included in restricted cash and released to the sellers in accordance with the terms of the escrow agreement. Restricted cash on our balance sheet as of December 31, 2010 includes escrowed funds related to agreed repairs to be expended at one of our former Fluids Division facility locations, and this cash was assigned to the landowner of the facility during 2011.
Financial instruments policy
Financial Instruments

Financial instruments that subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of trade receivables with companies in the energy industry. Our policy is to evaluate, prior to providing goods or services, each customer's financial condition and to determine the amount of open credit to be extended. We generally require appropriate, additional collateral as security for credit amounts in excess of approved limits. Our customers consist primarily of major, well-established oil and gas producers and independent oil and gas companies. Prior to April 2011, our risk management activities involved the use of derivative financial instruments, such as oil and gas swap contracts, to hedge the impact of commodity market price risk exposures related to a portion of our oil and gas production cash flow. All of our oil and gas swap contracts were liquidated in April 2011 in connection with the sales of Maritech oil and gas producing properties.

To the extent we have any outstanding balance under variable rate bank credit facilities, we may face market risk exposure related to changes in applicable interest rates. Although we have no interest rate swap contracts outstanding to hedge this potential risk exposure, we have entered into certain fixed interest rate notes, which are scheduled to mature at various dates from 2013 through 2020 and which mitigate this risk on our total outstanding borrowings.
Allowances for doubtful accounts policy
Allowances for Doubtful Accounts

Allowances for doubtful accounts are determined generally and on a specific identification basis when we believe that the collection of specific amounts owed to us is not probable. The changes in allowances for doubtful accounts for the three year period ended December 31, 2011, are as follows:
 
   
Year Ended December 31,
 
   
2011
  
2010
  
2009
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
           
At beginning of period
 $2,590  $5,007  $3,198 
   Activity in the period:
            
      Provision for doubtful accounts
  973   (1)  3,393 
      Account chargeoffs
  (1,714)  (2,416)  (1,584)
At end of period
 $1,849  $2,590  $5,007 
Inventories policy
Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market value. Cost is determined using the weighted average method. Significant components of inventories as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:
 
   
December 31,
 
   
2011
  
2010
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
        
Finished goods
 $71,247  $75,874 
Raw materials
  5,653   5,103 
Parts and supplies
  22,216   22,457 
Work in progress
  869   871 
     Total inventories
 $99,985  $104,305 
 
Finished goods inventories include, in addition to newly manufactured clear brine fluids, recycled brines that are repurchased from certain of our customers. Recycled brines are recorded at cost, using the weighted average method.
Property, plant, and equipment policy
Property, Plant, and Equipment

Property, plant, and equipment are stated at the cost of assets acquired. Expenditures that increase the useful lives of assets are capitalized. The cost of repairs and maintenance is charged to operations as incurred. For financial reporting purposes, we provide for depreciation using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of assets, which are generally as follows:

Buildings
15 - 40 years
Barges and vessels
5 - 30 years
Machinery and equipment
2 - 20 years
Automobiles and trucks
4 years
Chemical plants
15 - 30 years

Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the remaining term of the associated lease or its useful life. Depreciation and depletion expense, excluding long-lived asset impairments and dry hole costs, for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009 was $87.7 million, $139.7 million, and $137.8 million, respectively.
 
Interest capitalized for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009 was $1.2 million, $1.1 million, and $6.8 million, respectively.
Oil and gas properties policy
Oil and Gas Properties

Prior to our decision to sell Maritech's oil and gas properties during 2011, Maritech conducted oil and gas exploration, development, and production activities. Maritech periodically purchased oil and gas properties and assumed the related well abandonment and decommissioning liabilities (referred to as decommissioning liabilities). We followed the successful efforts method of accounting for our oil and gas operations. Under the successful efforts method, the costs of successful exploratory wells and leases are capitalized. Costs incurred to drill and equip development wells, including unsuccessful development wells, are capitalized. Other costs such as geological and geophysical costs, drilling costs of unsuccessful exploratory wells, and all internal costs are expensed. Maritech's property purchases were recorded at the fair value of our working interest share of decommissioning liabilities assumed, plus or minus any cash or other consideration paid or received as part of the transaction. All capitalized costs are accumulated and recorded separately for each field and allocated to leasehold costs and well costs. Prior to being classified as oil and gas properties held for sale, leasehold costs were depleted on a unit of production method based on the estimated remaining equivalent proved oil and gas reserves of each field. Well costs were depleted on a unit of production method based on the estimated remaining equivalent proved developed oil and gas reserves of each field. During the second quarter of 2011, we reclassified Maritech's remaining oil and gas properties to Oil and Gas Properties Held for Sale in our consolidated balance sheet, and have recorded their value at fair value, less cost to dispose.
Intangible assets other than goodwill policy
Intangible Assets other than Goodwill

Patents, trademarks, and other intangible assets are recorded on the basis of cost and are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, ranging from 3 to 20 years. During 2011, as part of an acquisition consummated during the year, we acquired intangible assets having a fair value of approximately $1.4 million with estimated useful lives ranging from 3 to 6 years (having a weighted average useful life of 5.6 years). During 2010, as a part of an acquisition consummated during the year, we acquired intangible assets having a fair value of approximately $0.6 million with estimated useful lives ranging from 3 to 6 years (having a weighted average useful life of 5.3 years). Amortization expense of patents, trademarks, and other intangible assets was $2.8 million, $2.8 million, and $3.6 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively, and is included in depreciation, depletion, amortization and accretion. The estimated future annual amortization expense of patents, trademarks, and other intangible assets is $2.4 million for 2012, $2.1 million for 2013, $1.0 million for 2014, $0.9 million for 2015, and $0.8 million for 2016.
Net income per share policy
Income (Loss) per Common Share

The calculation of basic earnings per share excludes any dilutive effects of options. The calculation of diluted earnings per share includes the dilutive effect of stock options, which is computed using the treasury stock method during the periods such options were outstanding. A reconciliation of the common shares used in the computations of income (loss) per common and common equivalent shares is presented in Note P - Income (Loss) Per Share.
Goodwill policy
Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the fair value of the net assets of businesses acquired in purchase transactions. We perform a goodwill impairment test on an annual basis or whenever indicators of impairment are present. We perform the annual test of goodwill impairment following the fourth quarter of each year. Beginning in 2011, the annual assessment for goodwill impairment begins with a qualitative assessment of whether it is "more likely than not" that the fair value of each reporting unit is less than its carrying value. This qualitative assessment requires the evaluation, based on the weight of evidence, of the significance of all identified events and circumstances for each reporting unit. Based on this qualitative assessment, we determined that it was not "more likely than not" that the fair values of any of our reporting units were less than their carrying values as of December 31, 2011. If the qualitative analysis indicates that it is "more likely than not" that a reporting unit's fair value is less than its carrying value, the resulting goodwill impairment test would consist of a two-step accounting test performed on a reporting unit basis. For purposes of this impairment test, the reporting units are our five reporting segments: Fluids, Offshore Services, Maritech, Production Testing, and Compressco. The first step of the impairment test, if required, is to compare the estimated fair value of any reporting units that have recorded goodwill with the recorded net book value (including goodwill) of the reporting unit. If the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is higher than the recorded net book value, no impairment is deemed to exist and no further testing is required. If, however, the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is below the recorded net book value, then a second step must be performed to determine the goodwill impairment required, if any. In this second step, the estimated fair value from the first step is used as the purchase price in a hypothetical acquisition of the reporting unit. Purchase business combination accounting rules are followed to determine a hypothetical purchase price allocation to the reporting unit's assets and liabilities. The residual amount of goodwill that
 
 
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results from this hypothetical purchase price allocation is compared to the recorded amount of goodwill for the reporting unit, and the recorded amount is written down to the hypothetical amount, if lower.

Because quoted market prices for our reporting units are not available, management must apply judgment in determining the estimated fair value of these reporting units for purposes of performing the goodwill impairment test. Management uses all available information to make these fair value determinations, including the present value of expected future cash flows using discount rates commensurate with the risks involved in the assets. The resultant fair values calculated for the reporting units are then compared to observable metrics for other companies in our industry, or on mergers and acquisitions in our industry, to determine whether those valuations, in our judgment, appear reasonable.

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reporting unit for the three year period ended December 31, 2011, are as follows:
 
   
Fluids
  
Production Testing
  
Compressco
  
Offshore Services
  
Maritech
  
Total
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Balance as of December 31, 2008
 $-  $10,364  $72,161  $-  $-  $82,525 
Goodwill adjustments
  -   12,671   -   3,809   -   16,480 
Balance as of December 31, 2009
  -   23,035   72,161   3,809   -   99,005 
Goodwill adjustments
  -   -   -   -   -   - 
Balance as of December 31, 2010
  -   23,035   72,161   3,809   -   99,005 
Goodwill adjustments
  -   -   -   127   -   127 
Balance as of December 31, 2011
 $-  $23,035  $72,161  $3,936  $-  $99,132 
 
In March 2006, we acquired Beacon Resources, LLC (Beacon), a production testing operation, for approximately $15.6 million paid at closing. In addition, the acquisition agreement provided for additional contingent consideration of up to $19.1 million, depending on the average of Beacon's annual pretax results of operations over the three year period following the closing date through March 2009. Based on Beacon's annual pretax results of operations during this three year period, we paid $12.7 million in April 2009 to the sellers pursuant to this contingent consideration provision. This amount was charged to goodwill associated with the acquisition of Beacon.

In March 2006, we acquired the assets and operations of Epic Divers, Inc. and certain affiliated companies (Epic), a full service commercial diving operation. In June 2006, Epic purchased a dynamically positioned dive support vessel (the Epic Diver) and saturation diving unit. Pursuant to the Epic Asset Purchase Agreement, a portion of the net profits earned by this dive support vessel and saturation diving unit over the initial three year term following its purchase was to be paid to the sellers. Based on the vessel's high utilization following the 2008 hurricanes, we paid $3.8 million in July 2009 pursuant to this contingent consideration provision. This amount was charged to goodwill associated with the acquisition of Epic.
Impairment of long-lived assets policy
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Impairments of long-lived assets are determined periodically when indicators of impairment are present. If such indicators are present, the determination of the amount of impairment is based on our judgments as to the future undiscounted operating cash flows to be generated from these assets throughout their remaining estimated useful lives. If these undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the related asset, an impairment is recognized for the excess of the carrying value over its fair value. The assessment of oil and gas properties for impairment is based on the risk adjusted future estimated cash flows from our proved, probable, and possible reserves. Assets held for disposal are recorded at the lower of carrying value or estimated fair value less estimated selling costs.

Impairments of Oil and Gas Properties

During 2011, 2010, and 2009, we identified impairments totaling approximately $15.2 million, $63.8 million, and $11.4 million, respectively, net of intercompany eliminations, of the net carrying value of certain Maritech oil and gas properties. The oil and gas property impairments during 2011 were primarily associated
 
 
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with Maritech's plans to sell its remaining oil and gas producing properties and the reduction in their carrying values to fair value less cost to sell. The oil and gas property impairments during 2010 were mainly associated with Maritech's non-core properties and were primarily due to significant increases in Maritech's associated decommissioning liabilities for these properties. For further discussion of the adjustments to Maritech's decommissioning liabilities during 2010, see Note I - Decommissioning and Other Asset Retirement Obligations. Additional oil and gas property impairments were also recorded during 2010 as a result of decreased production volumes, changes in development plans, or due to lower oil and natural gas pricing. The oil and gas property impairments during 2009 were primarily due to decreased production volumes or an increase in the associated decommissioning liabilities.

Impairments of Other Long-Lived Assets

Due to the market pricing for pellet calcium chloride and the uncertain supply of raw materials needed to operate our Fluids Division's Lake Charles, Louisiana, calcium chloride plant on economic terms, we recorded an impairment of approximately $7.2 million of the plant's carrying value during the fourth quarter of 2010. In February, 2011, we shut down the pellet plant operation, although the liquid calcium chloride operation remains operational.

During the fourth quarter of 2010, our Offshore Services segment determined that the Epic Diver was no longer strategic to its plans to serve its markets going forward. This decision was influenced by the extension of the charter of a modern dive support vessel that had been leased and utilized by Epic during 2010. The $15.3 million net carrying value of the Epic Diver was impaired during 2010. In January 2011, the Offshore Services segment finalized its decision to divest the Epic Diver, and the vessel was subsequently sold.

During 2009, in response to the shutdown of a calcium chloride plant in Europe that supplied raw materials to an unconsolidated joint venture, we reduced our investment in the joint venture to its estimated fair value based on the estimated plant decommissioning costs and salvage value cash flows of the joint venture, resulting in an impairment by our Fluids Division of our investment in the joint venture of $6.5 million.
Decommissioning liabilities policy
Decommissioning Liabilities

Related to Maritech's remaining oil and gas property decommissioning liabilities, we estimate the third-party fair values (including an estimated profit) to plug and abandon wells, decommission the pipelines and platforms, and clear the sites, and we use these estimates to record Maritech's decommissioning liabilities, net of amounts allocable to joint interest owners, and any amounts contractually agreed to be paid in the future by the previous owners of the properties. In some cases, previous owners of acquired oil and gas properties are contractually obligated to pay Maritech a fixed amount for the future well abandonment and decommissioning work on these properties as such work is performed. As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, our Maritech subsidiary's decommissioning liabilities are net of approximately $7.0 million and $32.5 million, respectively, of such future reimbursements from these previous owners.

In estimating the decommissioning liabilities, we perform detailed estimating procedures, analysis, and engineering studies. Whenever practical and cost effective, Maritech will utilize the services of its affiliated companies to perform well abandonment and decommissioning work. When these services are performed by an affiliated company, all recorded intercompany revenues are eliminated in the consolidated financial statements. The recorded decommissioning liability associated with a specific property is fully extinguished when the property is completely abandoned. The liability is first reduced by all cash expenses incurred to abandon and decommission the property. If the liability exceeds (or is less than) our actual out-of-pocket costs, the difference is credited (or charged) to earnings in the period in which the work is performed. We review the adequacy of our decommissioning liabilities whenever indicators suggest that the estimated cash flows underlying the liabilities have changed materially. The timing and amounts of these cash flows are subject to changes in the energy industry environment and may result in additional liabilities to be recorded, which, in turn, would increase the carrying values of the related properties or result in direct charges to earnings. As a result of decommissioning work performed, we recorded total reductions to the decommissioning liabilities for the years 2011, 2010, and 2009 of $94.7 million, $88.2 million, and $74.6 million, respectively. For a further discussion of adjustments and other activity related to Maritech's
 
 
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decommissioning liabilities, including significant adjustments made during 2010 and 2011, see Note I - Decommissioning and Other Asset Retirement Obligations.
Environmental liabilities policy
Environmental Liabilities

Environmental expenditures that result in additions to property and equipment are capitalized, while other environmental expenditures are expensed. Environmental remediation liabilities are recorded on an undiscounted basis when environmental assessments or cleanups are probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated. Estimates of future environmental remediation expenditures often consist of a range of possible expenditure amounts, a portion of which may be in excess of amounts of liabilities recorded. In such an instance, we disclose the full range of amounts reasonably possible of being incurred. Any changes or developments in environmental remediation efforts are accounted for and disclosed each quarter as they occur. Any recoveries of environmental remediation costs from other parties are recorded as assets when their receipt is deemed probable.
 
Complexities involving environmental remediation efforts can cause the estimates of the associated liability to be imprecise. Factors that cause uncertainties regarding the estimation of future expenditures include, but are not limited to, the effectiveness of the anticipated work plans in achieving targeted results and changes in the desired remediation methods and outcomes as prescribed by regulatory agencies. Uncertainties associated with environmental remediation contingencies are pervasive and often result in wide ranges of reasonably possible outcomes. Estimates developed in the early stages of remediation can vary significantly. Normally, a finite estimate of cost does not become fixed and determinable at a specific point in time. Rather, the costs associated with environmental remediation become estimable as the work is performed and the range of ultimate cost becomes more defined. It is possible that cash flows and results of operations could be materially affected by the impact of the ultimate resolution of these contingencies.
Revenue recognition policy
Revenue Recognition

Revenues are recognized when finished products are shipped or services have been provided to unaffiliated customers and only when collectability is reasonably assured. Sales terms for our products are FOB shipping point, with title transferring at the point of shipment. Revenue is recognized at the point of transfer of title. We recognize oil and gas product sales revenues from our Maritech subsidiary's interests in producing wells as oil and gas is produced and sold from those wells. Oil and gas sold is not significantly different from Maritech's share of production. With regard to lump-sum contracts, revenues are recognized using the percentage-of-completion method based on the ratio of costs incurred to total estimated costs at completion. Total project revenue and cost estimates for lump-sum contracts are reviewed periodically as work progresses, and adjustments are reflected in the period in which such estimates are revised. Provisions for estimated losses on such contracts are made in the period such losses are determined. For contracts that contain multiple deliverables, the recognition of revenue is determined based on the realized market values received by the customer as well as the timing of collections under the contract.
Oil and gas balancing policy
Oil and Gas Balancing

As part of our Maritech subsidiary's acquisitions of producing properties, we have acquired oil and gas balancing receivables and payables related to certain properties. We allocate value for any acquired oil and gas balancing positions using estimated fair value amounts expected to be received or paid in the future. Amounts related to underproduced volume positions acquired are reflected as assets, and amounts related to overproduced volume positions acquired are reflected as liabilities. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, we reflected oil and gas balancing receivables of $1.0 million and $2.6 million, respectively, in accounts receivable and other long-term assets and oil and gas balancing payables of $2.6 million and $5.4 million, respectively, in accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities. We recognize oil and gas product sales from our Maritech subsidiary's interest in producing wells, based on its entitled share of oil and natural gas produced and sold from those wells. Changes to our oil and gas balancing receivable or payable are valued at the lower of the price in effect at time of production, current market price, or contract price, if applicable.
Operating costs policy
Operating Costs

Cost of product sales includes direct and indirect costs of manufacturing and producing our products, including raw materials, fuel, utilities, labor, overhead, repairs and maintenance, materials, services, transportation, warehousing, equipment rentals, insurance, and taxes. In addition, cost of product sales
 
 
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includes oil and gas operating expense. Cost of services and rentals includes operating expenses we incur in delivering our services, including labor, equipment rental, fuel, repair and maintenance, transportation, overhead, insurance, and certain taxes. We include in product sales revenues the reimbursements we receive from customers for shipping and handling costs. Shipping and handling costs are included in cost of product sales. Amounts we incur for "out-of-pocket" expenses in the delivery of our services are recorded as cost of services and rentals. Reimbursements for "out-of-pocket" expenses we incur in the delivery of our services are recorded as service revenues. Depreciation, depletion, amortization, and accretion includes depreciation expense for all of our facilities, equipment and vehicles, depletion and dry hole expense on our oil and gas properties, amortization expense on our intangible assets, and accretion expense related to our decommissioning and other asset retirement obligations.

We include in general and administrative expense all costs not identifiable to our specific product or service operations, including divisional and general corporate overhead, professional services, corporate office costs, sales and marketing expenses, insurance, and taxes.
Repair costs and insurance recoveries policy
Repair Costs and Insurance Recoveries

We incurred significant damage to certain of our onshore and offshore operating equipment and facilities, primarily as a result of Hurricane Ike during 2008 and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita during 2005. Our Maritech subsidiary suffered varying levels of damage to the majority of its offshore oil and gas producing platforms during these storms, including the destruction of six of its offshore platforms. Hurricane damage repair efforts consist of the repair of damaged facilities and equipment, well intervention, abandonment, decommissioning, and debris removal associated with the destroyed offshore platforms, construction of replacement platforms and facilities, and redrilling of destroyed wells. Damage assessment costs and repair expenses up to the amount of insurance deductibles or not covered by insurance are charged to earnings as they are incurred. We recognized hurricane related repair expenses for the year ended December 31, 2009, of $8.2 million.

Remaining hurricane damage repair efforts consists primarily of the decommissioning of two of the destroyed Maritech offshore platforms. We estimate that the remaining future abandonment, decommissioning, and debris removal efforts associated with these remaining platforms destroyed by hurricanes during 2005 and 2008 will cost approximately $27.5  million net to our interest before any insurance recoveries, and has been accrued as part of Maritech's decommissioning liabilities. Actual hurricane repair costs could exceed these estimates and, depending on the nature of the cost, could result in significant charges to earnings in future periods. See below for a discussion of our remaining insurance coverage associated with hurricane damage repairs.

When it is economical to purchase, we typically maintain insurance protection that we believe to be customary and in amounts sufficient to reimburse us for a majority of our casualty losses, including for a portion of the repair, well intervention, abandonment, decommissioning, and debris removal costs associated with the damages incurred from named windstorms and hurricanes. In addition, other damages are also covered by insurance. Our insurance coverage is subject to certain overall coverage limits and deductibles. For the Maritech hurricane damages caused by Hurricane Ike during 2008, we anticipate that those damages will exceed these overall coverage limits. With regard to costs incurred that we believe will qualify for coverage under our various insurance policies, we recognize anticipated insurance recoveries when collection is deemed probable. Any recognition of anticipated insurance recoveries is used to offset the original charge to which the insurance recovery relates. The amount of anticipated insurance recoveries as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, is included in accounts receivable in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

During 2010, Maritech collected approximately $47.8 million of insurance proceeds associated with Hurricane Ike, which included the settlement of certain coverage at an amount less than the applicable coverage limits. For the $39.8 million of this amount that was collected in March 2010, the amount collected was greater than the covered hurricane repair, well intervention, and abandonment costs incurred as of that date, with the excess representing an advance payment of costs anticipated to be incurred in the future. The collection of these settlement proceeds has resulted in the extinguishment of all of Maritech's insurance receivables, the reversal of the costs previously capitalized for the future decommissioning of oil and gas properties, the reversal of anticipated insurance recoveries that had been netted against certain decommissioning liabilities, and approximately $2.2 million of pre-tax insurance gains that were credited to
 
 
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earnings during 2010. Maritech maintains that it has additional remaining coverage available relating to hurricane damage repairs of approximately $19.5 million, all of which relates to Hurricane Ike. During December 2010, we initiated legal proceedings against one of Maritech's underwriters, that is disputing that certain costs incurred or to be incurred qualify as covered costs pursuant to the policies.

Maritech incurred certain well intervention, debris removal, and repair costs related to damage from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita which were not reimbursed by its insurers. In December 2007, Maritech filed a lawsuit against its insurers and other associated parties in an attempt to collect pursuant to the applicable policies. During the fourth quarter of 2009, Maritech entered into a settlement agreement under which it received approximately $40.0 million of the previously unreimbursed costs. We reviewed the types of estimated well intervention costs incurred or to be incurred related to Hurricane Ike. Despite our belief that substantially all of these costs in excess of deductibles and within policy limits will qualify for coverage under our insurance policies, any costs that are similar to the costs that were not initially reimbursed following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have been excluded from anticipated insurance recoveries and were either capitalized to the associated oil and gas properties or expensed.

Anticipated insurance recoveries that have been reflected as insurance receivables were $1.1 million as of December 31, 2011, and $0.5 million at December 31, 2010. Repair costs incurred and the net book value of any destroyed assets which are covered under our insurance policies are anticipated insurance recoveries which are included in accounts receivable. Repair costs not considered probable of collection are charged to earnings. Insurance recoveries in excess of destroyed asset carrying values and repair costs incurred are credited to earnings when received. During 2010 and 2009, approximately $2.5 million and $5.4 million, respectively, of such excess proceeds were credited to earnings.
Discontinued operations policy
Discontinued Operations

We have accounted for our discontinued businesses as discontinued operations and have reclassified prior period financial statements to exclude these businesses from continuing operations.
Income tax policy
Income Taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis amounts. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect of a change in tax rates is recognized as income or expense in the period that includes the enactment date.
Foreign currency translation policy
Foreign Currency Translation

We have designated the euro, the British pound, the Norwegian krone, the Canadian dollar, the Brazilian real, and the Mexican peso as the functional currency for our operations in Finland and Sweden, the United Kingdom, Norway, Canada, Brazil, and certain of our operations in Mexico, respectively. The U.S. dollar is the designated functional currency for all of our other foreign operations. The cumulative translation effects of translating the accounts from the functional currencies into the U.S. dollar at current exchange rates are included as a separate component of equity.
Fair value measurements policy
Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as "the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date" within an entity's principal
 
 
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market, if any. The principal market is the market in which the reporting entity would sell the asset or transfer the liability with the greatest volume and level of activity, regardless of whether it is the market in which the entity will ultimately transact for a particular asset or liability or if a different market is potentially more advantageous. Accordingly, this exit price concept may result in a fair value that may differ from the transaction price or market price of the asset or liability.

Under generally accepted accounting principles, the fair value hierarchy prioritizes inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. Fair value measurements should maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs, where possible. Observable inputs are developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs may be needed to measure fair value in situations where there is little or no market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date and are developed based on the best information available in the circumstances, which could include the reporting entity's own judgments about the assumptions market participants would utilize in pricing the asset or liability.

We utilize fair value measurements to account for certain items and account balances within our consolidated financial statements. Fair value measurements are utilized in the allocation of purchase consideration for acquisition transactions to the assets and liabilities acquired, including intangible assets and goodwill. In addition, we utilize fair value measurements in the initial recording of our decommissioning and other asset retirement obligations. Fair value measurements may also be utilized on a nonrecurring basis, such as for the impairment of long-lived assets, including goodwill. The fair value of our financial instruments, which may include cash, temporary investments, accounts receivable, short-term borrowings, and long-term debt pursuant to our bank credit agreement, approximate their carrying amounts. The fair value of our long-term Senior Notes at December 31, 2011 and 2010 was approximately $332.4 million and $315.7 million, respectively, compared to a carrying amount of approximately $305.0 million, as current rates as of those dates were more favorable than the Senior Note interest rates. We calculate the fair value of our Senior Notes internally, using current market conditions and average cost of debt (a level 2 fair value measurement).

We also utilize fair value measurements on a recurring basis in the accounting for our derivative contracts used to hedge a portion of our oil and natural gas production cash flows. For these fair value measurements, we compare forward oil and natural gas pricing data from published sources over the remaining derivative contract term to the contract swap price and calculate a fair value using market discount rates. During the second quarter of 2011, in connection with the sale of substantially all of our Maritech oil and gas producing properties, we liquidated our derivative contracts and paid $14.2 million to the counterparty. For further discussion, see Note O - Hedge Contracts. A summary of the fair value measurements for derivative contracts as of December 31, 2010, is as follows:
 
      
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
      
Quoted Prices in
       
      
Active Markets for
  
Significant Other
  
Significant
 
      
Identical Assets
  
Observable
  
Unobservable
 
   
Total as of
  
or Liabilities
  
Inputs
  
Inputs
 
Description
 
December 31, 2010
  
(Level 1)
  
(Level 2)
  
(Level 3)
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Asset for natural gas
            
  swap contracts
 $2,436  $-  $2,436  $- 
Liability for oil swap contracts
  (5,208)  -   (5,208)  - 
Total
 $(2,772)            

During 2011, Maritech recorded total impairment charges of approximately $15.2 million associated with its remaining oil and gas properties. During 2011, Maritech sold approximately 95% of its oil and gas reserves and is seeking to sell its remaining properties at current market values. Accordingly, all of Maritech's remaining oil and gas properties as of December 31, 2011, have been reclassified to oil and gas properties held for sale and their net book values have been adjusted to fair value less cost to sell. Fair values are estimated based on current market prices being received for these properties' expected future production cash flows, using forward oil and natural gas pricing data from published sources. Because such published forward pricing data was applied to estimated oil and gas reserve volumes based on our internally prepared reserve estimates, such fair value calculation is based on significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) in accordance with the fair value hierarchy.
 
 
F-17

 
 
A summary of these nonrecurring fair value measurements as of December 31, 2011, using the fair value hierarchy is as follows:
 
      
Fair Value Measurements Using
    
      
Quoted Prices in
          
      
Active Markets for
  
Significant Other
  
Significant
    
      
Identical Assets
  
Observable
  
Unobservable
  
Year-to-Date
 
   
Total as of
  
or Liabilities
  
Inputs
  
Inputs
  
Impairment
 
Description
 
December 31, 2011
  
(Level 1)
  
(Level 2)
  
(Level 3)
  
Losses
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Oil and gas properties
 $3,743  $-  $-  $3,743  $15,233 
Other
  246           246   505 
Total
 $3,989              $15,738 

During 2010, certain Maritech oil and gas property impairments of $63.8 million were charged to earnings. The majority of the oil and gas property impairments for 2010 were due to increased estimates of Maritech's decommissioning liabilities. For a portion of these impaired properties, however, the change in the fair value of the properties was due to decreased expected future cash flows based on forward oil and natural gas pricing data from published sources. Because such published forward pricing data was applied to estimated oil and gas reserve volumes based on our internally prepared reserve estimates, such fair value calculation is based on significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) in accordance with the fair value hierarchy. Also during 2010, our Offshore Services segment recorded impairments for certain equipment assets, including the Epic Diver. In addition, our Fluids segment recorded an impairment for its Lake Charles, Louisiana, calcium chloride plant. The fair values of these assets were based on their resale value based on purchase offers received or their estimated salvage values.

A summary of these nonrecurring fair value measurements as of December 31, 2010, using the fair value hierarchy is as follows:
 
      
Fair Value Measurements Using
    
      
Quoted Prices in
          
      
Active Markets for
  
Significant Other
  
Significant
    
      
Identical Assets
  
Observable
  
Unobservable
  
Year-to-Date
 
   
Total as of
  
or Liabilities
  
Inputs
  
Inputs
  
Impairment
 
Description
 
December 31, 2010
  
(Level 1)
  
(Level 2)
  
(Level 3)
  
Losses
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Oil and gas properties
 $50,339  $-  $-  $50,339  $63,774 
Offshore Services assets
  2,453   -   -   2,453   17,731 
Calcium chloride plant
  932   -   -   932   7,213 
Other
  -   -   -   -   149 
Total
 $53,724              $88,867 
New accounting pronouncements policy
New Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) published Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2011-08, "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350), Testing Goodwill for Impairment" (ASU 2011-08), which simplifies how entities test goodwill for impairment. The amendments in ASU 2011-08 permit an entity 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 as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test described in Topic 350. The ASU is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of ASU 2011-08 did not have a significant impact on our financial statements.
 
 
F-18

 
 
In June 2011, the FASB published ASU 2011-05, "Comprehensive Income (Topic 220), Presentation of Comprehensive Income" (ASU 2011-05), which has the objective of improving the comparability, consistency, and transparency of financial reporting and increasing the prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income. As part of ASU 2011-05, the FASB decided to eliminate the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders' equity, among other amendments in this ASU. The amendments require that all non-owner changes in stockholders' equity be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. The amendments in this ASU are to be effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011, and the amendments are to be applied retrospectively. In December 2011, with the issuance of ASU 2011-12, "Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05," the FASB announced that it has deferred certain aspects of ASU 2011-05. The adoption of the accounting and disclosure requirements of this ASU is not expected to have a significant impact on our financial statements.

In May 2011, the FASB published ASU 2011-04, "Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) - Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs," whereby the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) aligned their definitions of fair value such that their fair value measurement and disclosure requirements are the same (except for minor differences in wording and style). The Boards concluded that the amendments in this ASU will improve the comparability of fair value measurements presented and disclosed in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and IFRS. The amendments in this ASU are effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011, and are to be applied prospectively. The adoption of the accounting and disclosure requirements of this ASU will not have a significant impact on our financial statements.