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General accounting policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Basis of preparation of the consolidated financial statements

The Consolidated Financial Statements of TOTAL SE and its subsidiaries (the Group) are presented in U.S. dollars and have been prepared on the basis of IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards) as adopted by the European Union and IFRS as issued by the IASB (International Accounting Standard Board) as of December 31, 2020.

The accounting principles applied for the consolidated financial statements at December 31, 2020, were the same as those that were used for the financial statements at December 31, 2019, with the exception of the IFRS standard changes listed below which had not been early adopted by the Group.

As of January 1st, 2020, the Group early adopted the amendments to IFRS 7 and IFRS 9 relating to the interest rate benchmark reform phase II. In particular, these amendments allow to maintain the hedge accounting qualification of interest rate derivatives.

As part of this transition, the Group set up a working group in order to cover all aspects relating to the IBOR reform and is currently assessing the future impacts of these index changes.

As of December 31, 2020, except for the index change on the remuneration of cash collateral with the clearing houses, whose impact is not material, no modification of the IBOR indexes was applied on the financial instruments used by the Group.

Major judgments and accounting estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with IFRS for the closing as of December 31, 2020 requires the executive management to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the information reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes thereto.

These estimates, assumptions and judgments are based on historical experience and other factors believed to be reasonable at the date of preparation of the financial statements. They are reviewed on an on-going basis by management and therefore could be revised as circumstances change or as a result of new information.

Different estimates, assumptions and judgments could significantly affect the information reported, and actual results may differ from the amounts included in the Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes thereto.

The following summary provides further information about the key estimates, assumptions and judgments that are involved in preparing, the Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes thereto. It should be read in conjunction with the sections of the Notes mentioned in the summary.

The consolidated financial statements are impacted by the health and oil crises. The Group has taken into account the impact of this environment, particularly on the depreciation and impairment of oil and gas assets (see Note 3.D “Asset impairment” and Note 7.2 “Tangible assets”).

Estimation of hydrocarbon reserves

The estimation of oil and gas reserves is a key factor in the Successful Efforts method used by the Group to account for its oil and gas activities.

The Group’s oil and gas reserves are estimated by the Group’s petroleum engineers in accordance with industry standards and SEC (U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission) regulations.

Proved oil and gas reserves are those quantities of oil and gas, which, by analysis of geosciences and engineering data, can be determined with reasonable certainty to be recoverable (from a given date forward, from known reservoirs, and under existing economic conditions, operating methods, and government regulations), prior to the time at which contracts providing the rights to operate expire, unless evidence indicates that renewal is reasonably certain, regardless of whether deterministic or probabilistic methods are used for the estimation.

Proved oil and gas reserves are calculated using a 12-month average price determined as the unweighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month price for each month of the relevant year unless prices are defined by contractual arrangements, excluding escalations based upon future conditions. The Group reassesses its oil and gas reserves at least once a year on all its properties.

The Successful Efforts method and the mineral interests and property, plant and equipment of exploration and production are presented in Note 7 “Intangible and tangible assets”.

Impairment of property, plant and equipment, intangible assets and goodwill

As part of the determination of the recoverable value of assets for impairment (IAS36), the estimates, assumptions and judgments mainly concern hydrocarbon prices scenarios, operating costs, production volumes and oil and gas proved and probable reserves, refining margins and product marketing conditions (mainly petroleum, petrochemical and chemical products as well as renewable industry products). The estimates and assumptions used by the executive management are determined in specialized internal departments in light of economic conditions and external expert analysis. The discount rate is reviewed annually.

In 2020, the Group decided to revise the price assumptions used for its assets impairment tests. Based on these new assumptions, asset impairments were recorded during the period. In line with its new Climate Ambition announced on May 5, 2020, which aims at carbon neutrality, the Group has reviewed its oil assets that can be qualified as “stranded”, and therefore has decided to impair its oil sands assets in Canada. These impairments and revised assumptions are presented in Note 3.D “Asset impairment”.

Impairment of assets and the method applied are described in Note 3 "Business segment information".

Employee benefits

The benefit obligations and plan assets can be subject to significant volatility due in part to changes in market values and actuarial assumptions. These assumptions vary between different pension plans and thus take into account local conditions. They are determined following a formal process involving expertise and Group internal judgments, in financial and actuarial terms, and also in consultation with actuaries and independent experts.

The assumptions for each plan are reviewed annually and adjusted if necessary to reflect changes from the experience and actuarial advice. The discount rate is reviewed quarterly.

Payroll, staff and employee benefits obligations and the method applied are described in Note 10 “Payroll, staff and employee benefits obligations”.

Asset retirement obligations

Asset retirement obligations, which result from a legal or constructive obligation, are recognized based on a reasonable estimate in the period in which the obligation arises.

This estimate is based on information available in terms of costs and work program. It is regularly reviewed to take into account the changes in laws and regulations, the estimates of reserves and production, the analysis of site conditions and technologies.

The discount rate is reviewed annually.

Asset retirement obligations and the method used are described in Note 12 “Provisions and other non-current liabilities”.

Income Taxes

A tax liability is recognized when in application of a tax regulation, a future payment is considered probable and can be reasonably estimated. The exercise of judgment is required to assess the impact of new events on the amount of the liability.

Deferred tax assets are recognized in the accounts to the extent that their recovery is considered probable. The amount of these assets is determined after taking into account deferred tax liabilities with comparable maturity, arising from the same entities and tax regimes. It takes into account existing taxable profits and future taxable profits which estimation is inherently uncertain and subject to change over time. The exercise of judgment is required to assess the impact of new events on the value of these assets and including changes in estimates of future taxable profits and the deadlines for their use.

In addition, these tax positions may depend on interpretations of tax laws and regulations in the countries where the Group operates. These interpretations may have uncertain nature. Depending on the circumstances, they are final only after negotiations or resolution of disputes with authorities that can last several years.

Incomes taxes and the accounting methods are described in Note 11 “Income taxes”.

Judgments in case of transactions not addressed by any accounting standard or interpretation

Furthermore, when the accounting treatment of a specific transaction is not addressed by any accounting standard or interpretation, the management applies its judgment to define and apply accounting policies that provide information consistent with the general IFRS concepts: faithful representation, relevance and materiality.

Principles of consolidation

A) Principles of consolidation

Entities that are directly controlled by the parent company or indirectly controlled by other consolidated entities are fully consolidated.

Investments in joint ventures are consolidated under the equity method. The Group accounts for joint operations by recognizing its share of assets, liabilities, income and expenses.

Investments in associates, in which the Group has significant influence, are accounted for by the equity method. Significant influence is presumed when the Group holds, directly or indirectly (e.g. through subsidiaries), 20% or more of the voting rights. Companies in which ownership interest is less than 20%, but over which the Company is deemed to exercise significant influence, are also accounted for by the equity method.

All internal balances, transactions and income are eliminated.

Business combinations

B) Business combinations

Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method. This method requires the recognition of the acquired identifiable assets and assumed liabilities of the companies acquired by the Group at their fair value.

The purchase accounting of the acquisition is finalized up to a maximum of one year from the acquisition date.

The acquirer shall recognize goodwill at the acquisition date, being the excess of:

-	The consideration transferred, the amount of non-controlling interests and, in business combinations achieved in stages, the fair value at the acquisition date of the investment previously held in the acquired company;

-	Over the fair value at the acquisition date of acquired identifiable assets and assumed liabilities.

If the consideration transferred is lower than the fair value of acquired identifiable assets and assumed liabilities, an additional analysis is performed on the identification and valuation of the identifiable elements of the assets and liabilities. After having completed such additional analysis, any negative goodwill is recorded as income.

Non-controlling interests are measured either at their proportionate share in the net assets of the acquired company or at fair value.

In transactions with non-controlling interests, the difference between the price paid (received) and the book value of non-controlling interests acquired (sold) is recognized directly in equity.

Foreign currency translation

C) Foreign currency translation

The presentation currency of the Group's Consolidated Financial Statements is the US dollar. However, the functional currency of the parent company is the euro. The resulting currency translation adjustments are presented on the line "currency translation adjustment generated by the parent company" of the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, within "items not potentially reclassifiable to profit and loss". In the balance sheet, they are recorded in "currency translation adjustment".

The financial statements of subsidiaries are prepared in the currency that most clearly reflects their business environment. This is referred to as their functional currency.

Since 1st July 2018, Argentina is considered to be hyperinflationary. IAS 29 "Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies" is applicable to entities whose functional currency is the Argentine peso. The functional currency of the Argentine Exploration & Production subsidiary is the US dollar, therefore IAS 29 has no incidence on the Group accounts. Net asset of the other business segments is not significant.

(i) Monetary transactions

Transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the entity are translated at the exchange rate on the transaction date. At each balance sheet date, monetary assets and liabilities are translated at the closing rate and the resulting exchange differences are recognized in the statement of income.

(ii) Translation of financial statements

Assets and liabilities of entities denominated in currencies other than dollar are translated into dollar on the basis of the exchange rates at the end of the period. The income and cash flow statements are translated using the average exchange rates for the period. Foreign exchange differences resulting from such translations are either recorded in shareholders’ equity under “Currency translation adjustments” (for the Group share) or under “Non-controlling interests” (for the share of non-controlling interests) as deemed appropriate.

Significant accounting policies applicable in the future

The expected impact of the standards or interpretations published respectively by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and the International Financial Reporting Standards Interpretations Committee (IFRS IC) which were not yet in effect at December 31, 2020, is not material.

Divestment projects

Accounting principles

Pursuant to IFRS 5 "Non-current assets held for sale and discontinued operations”, assets and liabilities of affiliates that are held for sale are presented separately on the face of the balance sheet. Depreciation of assets ceases from the date of classification in “Non-current assets held for sale”.

Asset impairment

Accounting principles

The recoverable amounts of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment are tested for impairment as soon as any indication of impairment exists. This test is performed at least annually for goodwill.

The recoverable amount is the higher of the fair value (less costs to sell) or the value in use.

Assets are grouped into cash-generating units (or CGUs) and tested. A CGU is a homogeneous set of assets that generates cash inflows that are largely independent of the cash inflows from other groups of assets.

The value in use of a CGU is determined by reference to the discounted expected future cash flows of these assets, based upon Management’s expectation of future economic and operating conditions. When this value is less than the carrying amount of the CGU, an impairment loss is recorded. This loss is allocated first to goodwill with a corresponding amount in "Other expenses". Any further losses are then allocated to property, plant and mineral interests with a corresponding amount in "Depreciation, depletion and impairment of tangible assets and mineral interests" and to other intangible assets with a corresponding amount in "Other expenses".

Impairment losses recognized in prior periods can be reversed up to the original carrying amount, had the impairment loss not been recognized. Impairment losses recognized on goodwill cannot be reversed.

Investments in associates or joint ventures are tested for impairment whenever indication of impairment exists. If any objective evidence of impairment exists, the carrying amount of the investment is compared with its recoverable amount, being the higher of its fair value less costs to sell and value in use. If the carrying amount exceeds the recoverable amount, an impairment loss is recorded in "Net income (loss) from equity affiliates".

Sales of goods and services, including excise taxes

Accounting principles

IFRS 15 requires identification of the performance obligations for the transfer of goods and services in each contract with customers. Revenue is recognized upon satisfaction of the performance obligations for the amounts that reflect the consideration to which the Group expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services.

Sales of goods

Revenues from sales are recognized when the control has been transferred to the buyer and the amount can be reasonably measured. Revenues from sales of crude oil and natural gas are recorded upon transfer of title, according to the terms of the sales contracts.

Revenues from the production of crude oil and natural gas properties, in which the Group has an interest with other producers, are recognized based on actual entitlement volumes sold over the period. Any difference between entitlement volumes and volumes sold, based on the Group net working interest, are recognized in the “Under-lifting” and “Over-lifting” accounts in the balance sheet and in operating expenses in the profit and loss.

Quantities delivered that represent production royalties and taxes, when paid in cash, are included in oil and gas revenues, except for the United States and Canada.

Certain transactions within the trading activities (contracts involving quantities that are purchased from third parties then resold to third parties) are shown at their net value in purchases, net of inventory variation. These transactions relate in particular to crude oil, petroleum products, gas, power and LNG.

Exchanges of crude oil and petroleum products realized within trading activities are shown at their net value in both the statement of income and the balance sheet.

Operating expenses

Accounting principles

The Group applies IFRS 6 “Exploration for and Evaluation of Mineral Resources”. Oil and gas exploration and production properties and assets are accounted for in accordance with the Successful Efforts method.

Geological and geophysical costs, including seismic surveys for exploration purposes are expensed as incurred in exploration costs.

Costs of dry wells and wells that have not found proved reserves are charged to expense in exploration costs.

Research and development costs

Accounting principles

Research costs are charged to expense as incurred.

Development expenses are capitalized when the criteria of IAS38 are met.

Inventories

Accounting principles

Inventories are measured in the Consolidated Financial Statements at the lower of historical cost or market value. Costs for petroleum and petrochemical products are determined according to the FIFO (First-In, First-Out) method or weighted-average cost method and other inventories are measured using the weighted-average cost method.

In addition stocks held for trading are measured at fair value less cost to sell.

Refining & Chemicals

Petroleum product inventories are mainly comprised of crude oil and refined products. Refined products principally consist of gasoline, distillate and fuel produced by the Group's refineries. The turnover of petroleum products does not exceed two months on average.

Crude oil costs include raw material and receiving costs. Refining costs principally include crude oil costs, production costs (energy, labor, depreciation of producing assets) and an allocation of production overheads (taxes, maintenance, insurance, etc.).

Costs of chemical product inventories consist of raw material costs, direct labor costs and an allocation of production overheads. Start-up costs, general administrative costs and financing costs are excluded from the costs of refined and chemicals products.

Marketing & Services

The costs of products refined by the Group’s entities include mainly raw materials costs, production costs (energy, labor, depreciation of producing assets), primary costs of transport and an allocation of production overheads (taxes, maintenance, insurance, etc.).

General administrative costs and financing costs are excluded from the cost price of refined products.

Product inventories purchased from entities external to the Group are valued at their purchase cost plus primary costs of transport.

Carbon dioxide emission rights generated as part of the EU Emission Trading scheme (EU ETS)

In the absence of a current IFRS standard or interpretation on accounting for emission rights of carbon dioxide generated as part of the EU Emission Trading scheme (EU ETS), the following principles are applied:

- Emission rights are managed as a cost of production and as such are recognized in inventories:

-Emission rights allocated for free are booked in inventories with a nil carrying amount;

-Purchased emission rights are booked at acquisition cost;

-Sales or annual surrender of emission rights result in decreases in inventories valued at weighted average cost;

-If the carrying amount of inventories at closing date is higher than the market value, an impairment loss is recorded.

- At each closing, a provision is recorded in order to materialize the obligation to surrender emission rights related to the emissions of the period. This provision is calculated based on estimated emissions of the period, valued at weighted average cost of the inventories at the end of the period. It is reversed when the emission rights are surrendered;

- If emission rights to be surrendered at the end of the compliance period are higher than emission rights recorded in inventories, the shortage is accounted for as a liability at market value;

- Forward transactions are recognized at their fair market value in the balance sheet. Changes in the fair value of such forward transactions are recognized in the statement of income.

Energy savings certificates

In the absence of current IFRS standards or interpretations on accounting for energy savings certificates (ESC), the following principles are applied:

- If the obligations linked to the sales of energy are greater than the number of ESC’s held then a liability is recorded. These liabilities are valued based on the price of the last transactions;

- In the event that the number of ESC’s held exceeds the obligation at the balance sheet date this is accounted for as inventory. Otherwise a valuation allowance is recorded ;

- ESC inventories are valued at weighted average cost (acquisition cost for those ESC’s acquired or cost incurred for those ESC’s generated internally).

If the carrying value of the inventory of certificates at the balance sheet date is higher than the market value, an impairment loss is recorded.

Cash flow from operating activities

Accounting principles

The Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows prepared in currencies other than dollar has been translated into dollars using the exchange rate on the transaction date or the average exchange rate for the period. Currency translation differences arising from the translation of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currency into dollars using the closing exchange rates are shown in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows under “Effect of exchange rates”. Therefore, the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows will not agree with the figures derived from the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Intangible assets

Accounting principles

Goodwill

Guidance for measuring goodwill is presented in Note 1.1 paragraph B to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment at least annually and as soon as there is any indication of impairment.

Mineral interests

Unproved mineral interests are tested for impairment based on the results of the exploratory activity or as part of the impairment tests of the cash-generating units to which they are allocated.

Unproved mineral interests are transferred to proved mineral interests at their net book value as soon as proved reserves are booked.

Proved mineral interests are depreciated using the unit-of-production method based on proved reserves.

The corresponding expense is recorded as depreciation of tangible assets and mineral interests.

Other intangible assets

Other intangible assets include patents, and trademarks.

Intangible assets are carried at cost, after deducting any accumulated amortization and accumulated impairment losses.

Intangible assets (excluding mineral interests) that have a finite useful life are amortized on a straight-line basis over three to twenty years depending on the useful life of the assets. The corresponding depreciation expense is recorded under other expense.

Property, plant and equipment

Accounting principles

Exploration costs

Exploratory wells are capitalized and tested for impairment on an individual basis as follows:

- Costs of exploratory wells which result in proved reserves are capitalized and then depreciated using the unit-of-production method based on proved developed reserves;

- Costs of exploratory wells are temporarily capitalized until proved reserves have been found, if both of the following conditions are met:

● The well has found a sufficient quantity of reserves to justify, if appropriate, its completion as a producing well, assuming that the required capital expenditures are made;

● The Group is making sufficient progress assessing the reserves and the economic and operating viability of the project. This progress is evaluated on the basis of indicators such as whether additional exploratory works are under way or firmly planned (wells, seismic or significant studies), whether costs are being incurred for development studies and whether the Group is waiting for governmental or other third-party authorization on a proposed project, or availability of capacity on an existing transport or processing facility.

Costs of exploratory wells not meeting these conditions are charged to exploration costs.

Oil and Gas production assets of exploration and production activities

Development costs of oil and gas production facilities are capitalized. These costs include borrowing costs incurred during the period of construction and the present value of estimated future costs of asset retirement obligations.

The depletion rate of development wells and of production assets is equal to the ratio of oil and gas production for the period to proved developed reserves (unit-of-production method).

In the event that, due to the price effect on reserves evaluation, the unit-of-production method does not reflect properly the useful life of the asset, an alternative depreciation method is applied based on the reserves evaluated with the price of the previous year. This is the case in 2020 where the method of unit-of-production depreciation is applied to all assets in 2020 based on proven reserves measured with the price used in 2019. This method complies with IAS16.

With respect to phased development projects or projects subject to progressive well production start-up, the fixed assets’ depreciable amount, excluding production or service wells, is adjusted to exclude the portion of development costs attributable to the undeveloped reserves of these projects.

With respect to production sharing contracts, the unit-of-production method is based on the portion of production and reserves assigned to the Group taking into account estimates based on the contractual clauses regarding the reimbursement of exploration, development and production costs (cost oil/gas) as well as the sharing of hydrocarbon rights after deduction of cost oil (profit oil/gas).

Hydrocarbon transportation and processing assets are depreciated using the unit-of-production method based on throughput or by using the straight-line method whichever best reflects the economic life of the asset.


Other property, plant and equipment Other property, plant and equipment are carried at cost, after deducting any accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses. This cost includes borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition or production of a qualifying asset incurred until assets are placed in service. Borrowing costs are capitalized as follows: ● if the project benefits from a specific funding, the capitalization of borrowing costs is based on the borrowing rate; ● if the project is financed by all the Group’s debt, the capitalization of borrowing costs is based on the weighted average borrowing cost for the period. Routine maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. The costs of major turnarounds of refineries and large petrochemical units are capitalized as incurred and depreciated over the period of time between two consecutive major turnarounds. Other property, plant and equipment are depreciated using the straight-line method over their useful lives, which are as follows:
● Furniture, office equipment, machinery and tools	3-12 years
● Transportation equipment	5-20 years
● Storage tanks and related equipment	10-15 years
● Specialized complex installations and pipelines	10-30 years
● Buildings	10-50 years

Equity affiliates: investments and loans

Accounting principles

Under the equity method, the investment in the associate or joint venture is initially recognized at acquisition cost and subsequently adjusted to recognize the Group’s share of the net income and other comprehensive income of the associate or joint venture.

Unrealized gains on transactions between the Group and its equity-accounted entities are eliminated to the extent of the Group’s interest in the equity accounted entity.

In equity affiliates, goodwill is included in investment book value.

In cases where the group holds less than 20% of the voting rights in another entity, the determination of whether the Group exercises significant influence is also based on other facts and circumstances: representation on the board of directors or an equivalent governing body of the entity, participation in policy-making processes, including participation in decisions relating to dividends or other distributions, significant transactions between the investor and the entity, exchange of management personnel, or provision of essential technical information.

Other investments

Accounting principles

Other investments are equity instruments and are measured according to IFRS 9 at fair value through profit and loss (default option). On initial recognition, the standard allows to make a choice and record the changes of fair value in other comprehensive income. For these securities, only dividends can be recognized in profit or loss.

The Group recognizes changes in fair value in equity or in profit or loss according to the option chosen on an instrument by instrument basis.

For quoted shares on active markets, this fair value is equal to the market price.

Treasury shares

Accounting principles

Treasury shares held by TOTAL SE or by its subsidiaries are deducted from consolidated shareholders’ equity. Gains or losses on sales of treasury shares are excluded from the determination of net income and are recognized in shareholders’ equity.

Earnings per share

Accounting principles

Earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income (Group share) by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period, excluding TOTAL shares held by TOTAL SE (Treasury shares) which are deducted from consolidated shareholders’ equity.

Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income (Group share) by the fully-diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Treasury shares held by the parent company, TOTAL SE are deducted from consolidated shareholders’ equity. These shares are not considered outstanding for purposes of this calculation which also takes into account the dilutive effect of share subscription or purchase options plans, share grants and capital increases with a subscription period closing after the end of the fiscal year.

The weighted-average number of fully-diluted shares is calculated in accordance with the treasury stock method provided for by IAS 33. The proceeds, which would be recovered in the event of an exercise of rights related to dilutive instruments, are presumed to be a share buyback at the average market price over the period. The number of shares thereby obtained leads to a reduction in the total number of shares that would result from the exercise of rights.

In compliance with IAS 33, earnings per share and diluted earnings per share are based on the net income after deduction of the remuneration due to the holders of deeply subordinated notes.

Share-based payments

Accounting principles

TOTAL SE may grant employees share subscription or purchase options plans, restricted share plans and offer its employees the opportunity to subscribe to reserved capital increases. These employee benefits are recognized as expenses with a corresponding credit to shareholders’ equity.

The expense is equal to the fair value of the instruments granted. The expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the period in which the advantages are acquired.

The fair value of the options is calculated using the Black-Scholes model at the grant date.

For restricted share plans, the fair value is calculated using the market price at the grant date after deducting the expected distribution rate during the vesting period. The global cost is reduced to take into account the non-transferability over a 2-year holding period of the shares that could be awarded.

The number of allocated equity instruments can be revised during the vesting period in cases of non-compliance with performance conditions, with the exception of those related to the market, or according to the rate of turnover of the beneficiaries.

The cost of employee-reserved capital increases is immediately expensed.

The cost of the capital increase reserved for employees consists of the cost related to the discount on the shares subscribed using the classic and/or the leveraged schemes, the cost of the free shares and the opportunity gain for the shares subscribed using the leveraged scheme, as applicable. This opportunity gain corresponds to the benefit of subscribing to the leveraged offer, rather than reproducing the same economic profile through the purchase of options in the market for individual investors.

The global cost is reduced to take into account the non-transferability of the shares that are subscribed by the employees over a period of five years.

Employee benefits obligations

Accounting principles

In accordance with the laws and practices of each country, the Group participates in employee benefit plans offering retirement, death and disability, healthcare and special termination benefits. These plans provide benefits based on various factors such as length of service, salaries, and contributions made to the governmental bodies responsible for the payment of benefits.

These plans can be either defined contribution or defined benefit pension plans and may be entirely or partially funded with investments made in various non-Group instruments such as mutual funds, insurance contracts, and other instruments.

For defined contribution plans, expenses correspond to the contributions paid.

Defined benefit obligations are determined according to the Projected Unit Method. Actuarial gains and losses may arise from differences between actuarial valuation and projected commitments (depending on new calculations or assumptions) and between projected and actual return of plan assets. Such gains and losses are recognized in the statement of comprehensive income, with no possibility to subsequently recycle them to the income statement.

The past service cost is recorded immediately in the statement of income, whether vested or unvested.

The net periodic pension cost is recognized under “Other operating expenses”.

Income taxes

Accounting principles

Income taxes disclosed in the statement of income include the current tax expenses (or income) and the deferred tax expenses (or income).

Current tax expenses (or income) are the estimated amount of the tax due for the taxable income of the period.

Deferred income taxes are recorded based on the temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities recorded in the balance sheet and their tax bases, and on carry-forwards of unused tax losses and tax credits.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the tax rates that have been enacted or substantially enacted at the balance sheet date. The tax rates used depend on the timing of reversals of temporary differences, tax losses and other tax credits. The effect of a change in tax rate is recognized either in the Consolidated Statement of Income or in shareholders’ equity depending on the item it relates to.

Deferred tax resulting from temporary differences between the carrying amounts of equity-method investments and their tax bases are recognized. The deferred tax calculation is based on the expected future tax effect (dividend distribution rate or tax rate on capital gains).

Provisions and other non-current liabilities

Accounting principles

A provision is recognized when the Group has a present obligation, legal or constructive, as a result of a past event for which it is probable that an outflow of resources will be required and when a reliable estimate can be made regarding the amount of the obligation. The amount of the liability corresponds to the best possible estimate.

Provisions and non-current liabilities are comprised of liabilities for which the amount and the timing are uncertain. They arise from environmental risks, legal and tax risks, litigation and other risks.

Changes in the asset retirement obligation

Accounting principles

Asset retirement obligations, which result from a legal or constructive obligation, are recognized based on a reasonable estimate during the period in which the obligation arises.

The associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the underlying asset and depreciated over the useful life of this asset.

An entity is required to measure changes in the liability for an asset retirement obligation due to the passage of time (accretion) by applying a risk-free discount rate to the amount of the liability. Given the long term nature of expenditures related to our asset retirement obligations, the rate is determined by reference to the high quality rates for AA-rated Corporate bonds on the USD area for a long-term horizon. The increase of the provision due to the passage of time is recognized as “Other financial expense”.

Lease contracts

Accounting principles

A lease contract is a contract that grants lessee the right to use an identified asset for a specified period of time in exchange for consideration. At lease inception, an asset corresponding to right of use and a debt are recognized in the lessee’s balance sheet. Carrying value of right of use corresponds to present value of future lease payments plus any direct costs incurred for concluding the contract. Lease debt is recorded as a liability in the balance sheet under financial debts. Rights of use are depreciated over the useful lives applied by the Group.

Leases that are of short duration or that relate to low value assets are not recorded in the balance sheet, in accordance with the exemptions in the standard. They are presented as off-balance sheet commitments.

Ø	First-time application of IFRS 16 "Leases"

As part of the first application of IFRS 16 "Leases" as of January 1, 2019, the Group:

-

applied the simplified retrospective transition method, accounting for the cumulative effect of the initial application of the standard at the date of first application, without restating the comparative periods;

-

used the following simplification measures provided by the standard in the transitional provisions:

o

exclusion of contracts that the Group had not previously identified as containing a lease under IAS 17 and IFRIC 4,

o

exclusion of leases whose term ends within 12 months of the date of first application;

-

recognized each lease component as a separate lease, separately from non-lease components of the lease (services);

-

applied the two exemptions of the standard on short-term leases and leases of low-value assets.

The impact of the application of this standard as at January 1, 2019 is $5,698 million on fixed assets, $(5,505) million on net debt and $(193) million on other assets and liabilities. The weighted average incremental borrowing rate of 4.5% at transition date was determined on the basis of the initial duration of the contracts.

In 2019, the impact on fixed assets was broken down as follows:


(in M$)
Right of use of buildings		2,278
Right of use of machinery, plant and equipment (including transportation equipment)		2,632
Other right of use		788
TOTAL		5,698

The Group mainly leases real estate, retail stations, ships, and other equipment (see Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

Cash and cash equivalents

Accounting principles

Cash and cash equivalents are comprised of cash on hand and highly liquid short-term investments that are easily convertible into known amounts of cash and are subject to insignificant risks of changes in value.

Investments with maturity greater than three months and less than twelve months are shown under “Current financial assets”.

Changes in current financial assets and liabilities are included in the financing activities section of the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

Fair value of financial instruments (excluding commodity contracts)

Accounting principles

The Group uses derivative instruments to manage its exposure to risks of changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates and commodity prices. These financial instruments are accounted for in accordance with IFRS 9, changes in fair value of derivative instruments are recognized in the statement of income or in other comprehensive income and are recognized in the balance sheet in the accounts corresponding to their nature, according to the risk management strategy. The derivative instruments used by the Group are the following:

- Cash management

Financial instruments used for cash management purposes are part of a hedging strategy of currency and interest rate risks within global limits set by the Group and are considered to be held for trading. Changes in fair value are systematically recorded in the statement of income. The balance sheet value of those instruments is included in “Current financial assets” or “Other current financial liabilities”.

- Long-term financing

When an external long-term financing is set up, specifically to finance subsidiaries, and when this financing involves currency and interest rate derivatives, these instruments are qualified as:

1) Fair value hedge of the interest rate and currency risks on the external debt financing the loans to subsidiaries. Changes in fair value of derivatives are recognized in the statement of income, as are changes in fair value of underlying financial debts and loans to subsidiaries.

The fair value of those hedging instruments of long-term financing is included in assets under “Non-current financial assets” or in liabilities under “Non-current financial debt “for the non-current portion. The current portion (less than one year) is accounted for in “Current financial assets” or “Other current financial liabilities”.

In case of the anticipated termination of derivative instruments accounted for as fair value hedges, the amount paid or received is recognized in the statement of income and:

● If this termination is due to an early cancellation of the hedged items, the adjustment previously recorded as revaluation of those hedged items is also recognized in the statement of income;

● If the hedged items remain in the balance sheet, the adjustment previously recorded as a revaluation of those hedged items is spread over the remaining life of those items.

In case of a change in the strategy of the hedge (fair value hedge to cash flow hedge), if the components of the initial aggregated exposure had already been designated in a hedging relationship (FVH), the Group designates the new instrument as a hedging instrument of an aggregated position (CFH) without having to end the initial hedging relationship.

2) Cash flow hedge when the Group implements a strategy of fixing interest rate and/or currency rate on the external debt. Changes in fair value are recorded in Other comprehensive Income for the effective portion of the hedging and in the statement of income for the ineffective portion of the hedging. When the hedged transaction affects profit or loss, the fair value variations of the hedging instrument recorded in equity are also symmetrically recycled to the income statement.

The fair value of those hedging instruments of long-term financing is included in assets under “Non-current financial assets” or in liabilities under “Non-current financial debt“ for the non-current portion. The current portion (less than one year) is accounted for in “Current financial assets” or “Other current financial liabilities”.

If the hedging instrument expires, is sold or terminated by anticipation, gains or losses previously recognized in equity remain in equity. Amounts are recycled to the income statement only when the hedged transaction affects profit or loss.

3) In compliance with IFRS9, the Group has decided to recognize in a separate component of the comprehensive income the variation of foreign currency basis spread (Cross Currency Swaps) identified in the hedging relationships qualified as fair value hedges and cash flow hedges.

- Foreign subsidiaries’ equity hedge

Certain financial instruments hedge against risks related to the equity of foreign subsidiaries whose functional currency is not the euro (mainly the dollar). These instruments qualify as “net investment hedges” and changes in fair value are recorded in other comprehensive income under "Currency translation" for the effective portion of the hedging and in the statement of income for the ineffective portion of the hedging. Gains or losses on hedging instruments previously recorded in equity, are reclassified to the statement of income in the same period as the total or partial disposal of the foreign activity.

The fair value of these instruments is recorded under “Current financial assets” and ”Other current financial liabilities”.

- Commitments to purchase shares held by non-controlling interests (put options written on minority interests)

Put options granted to non-controlling-interest shareholders are initially recognized as financial liabilities at the present value of the exercise price of the options with a corresponding reduction in shareholders’ equity. The financial liability is subsequently measured at fair value at each balance sheet date in accordance with contractual clauses and any variation is recorded in the statement of income (cost of debt).

Fair value hierarchy

Accounting principles

Fair values are estimated for the majority of the Group’s financial instruments, with the exception of publicly traded equity securities and marketable securities for which the market price is used.

Estimations of fair value, which are based on principles such as discounting future cash flows to present value, must be weighted by the fact that the value of a financial instrument at a given time may be influenced by the market environment (liquidity especially), and also the fact that subsequent changes in interest rates and exchange rates are not taken into account.

As a consequence, the use of different estimates, methodologies and assumptions could have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts.

The methods used are as follows:

- Financial debts, swaps

The market value of swaps and of bonds that are hedged by those swaps has been determined on an individual basis by discounting future cash flows with the market curves existing at year-end.

- Other financial instruments

The fair value of the interest rate swaps and of FRA’s (Forward Rate Agreements) are calculated by discounting future cash flows on the basis of market curves existing at year-end after adjustment for interest accrued but unpaid. Forward exchange contracts and currency swaps are valued on the basis of a comparison of the negotiated forward rates with the rates in effect on the financial markets at year-end for similar maturities.

Exchange options are valued based on models commonly used by the market.

Financial instruments related to commodity contracts

Accounting principles

Financial instruments related to commodity contracts, including crude oil, petroleum products, gas, and power purchase/sales contracts within the trading activities, together with the commodity contract derivative instruments such as energy contracts and forward freight agreements, are used to adjust the Group’s exposure to price fluctuations within global trading limits. According to the industry practice, these instruments are considered as held for trading. Changes in fair value are recorded in the statement of income. The fair value of these instruments is recorded in “Other current assets” or “Other creditors and accrued liabilities” depending on whether they are assets or liabilities.

The valuation methodology is to mark-to-market all open positions for both physical and paper transactions. The valuations are determined on a daily basis using observable market data based on organized and over the counter (OTC) markets. In particular cases when market data is not directly available, the valuations are derived from observable data such as arbitrages, freight or spreads and market corroboration. For valuation of risks which are the result of a calculation, such as options for example, commonly known models are used to compute the fair value.