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General Information (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Principles of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation

Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. and our wholly-owned subsidiaries after elimination of intercompany transactions and balances.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or U.S., or GAAP, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimated.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

We consider short-term, highly liquid investments that have an original maturity of three months or less and deposits in money market mutual funds that are readily convertible into cash to be cash equivalents.

The effect of exchange rate changes on cash balances held in foreign currencies was not material for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.

Provision for Bad Debts

Provision for Bad Debts

We record a provision for bad debts on a case-by-case basis when facts and circumstances indicate that a customer receivable may not be collectible. In establishing these reserves, we consider historical and other factors that predict collectability, including write-offs, recoveries and the monitoring of credit quality. Such provision is reported as a component of “Operating expense” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. See Note 3.

Assets Held For Sale

Assets Held For Sale

We reported the $96.3 million and $0.4 million carrying values of certain of our rigs being marketed for sale as “Assets held for sale” in our Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The Ocean Victory, which was reported as “Assets held for sale” at December 31, 2017 with a carrying value of $1.2 million, was sold in January 2018. We also reported the Ocean Scepter, a jack-up rig, as held for sale at December 31, 2017, based upon management’s decision to sell the rig after receipt of an unsolicited bid for the rig in November 2017. The sale of the rig has not yet been negotiated; however, management is actively marketing the rig for sale and expects to complete a sale during 2018. The Ocean Spur, which was reported as “Assets held for sale” at December 31, 2016, was sold in 2017.

Drilling and Other Property and Equipment

Drilling and Other Property and Equipment

We carry our drilling and other property and equipment at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Maintenance and routine repairs are charged to income currently while replacements and betterments that upgrade or increase the functionality of our existing equipment and that significantly extend the useful life of an existing asset are capitalized. Significant judgments, assumptions and estimates may be required in determining whether or not such replacements and betterments meet the criteria for capitalization and in determining useful lives and salvage values of such assets. Changes in these judgments, assumptions and estimates could produce results that differ from those reported. During the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, we capitalized $69.4 million and $177.6 million, respectively, in replacements and betterments of our drilling fleet.

Costs incurred for major rig upgrades and/or the construction of rigs are accumulated in construction work-in-progress, with no depreciation recorded on the additions, until the month the upgrade or newbuild is completed and the rig is placed in service. Upon retirement or sale of a rig, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the respective accounts and any gains or losses are included in our results of operations as “(Gain) loss on disposition of assets.” Depreciation is recognized up to applicable salvage values by applying the straight-line method over the remaining estimated useful lives from the year the asset is placed in service. Drilling rigs and equipment are depreciated over their estimated useful lives ranging from 3 to 30 years.

Capitalized Interest

Capitalized Interest

We capitalize interest cost for rig construction or upgrades, as well as other qualifying projects. During the three years ended December 31, 2017, we capitalized interest on qualifying expenditures, primarily related to our rig construction projects.

A reconciliation of our total interest cost to “Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized” as reported in our Consolidated Statements of Operations is as follows:

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,  
     2017      2016      2015  
     (In thousands)  

Total interest cost including amortization of debt issuance costs

   $ 113,618      $ 110,748      $ 110,242  

Capitalized interest

     (90      (20,814      (16,308
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total interest expense as reported

   $ 113,528      $ 89,934      $ 93,934  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

We evaluate our property and equipment for impairment whenever changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable (such as, but not limited to, cold stacking a rig, the expectation of cold stacking a rig in the near term, contracted backlog of less than one year for a rig, a decision to retire or scrap a rig, or excess spending over budget on a newbuild, construction project or major rig upgrade). We utilize an undiscounted probability-weighted cash flow analysis in testing an asset for potential impairment. Our assumptions and estimates underlying this analysis include the following:

 

    dayrate by rig;

 

    utilization rate by rig if active, warm stacked or cold stacked (expressed as the actual percentage of time per year that the rig would be used at certain dayrates);

 

    the per day operating cost for each rig if active, warm stacked or cold stacked;

 

    the estimated annual cost for rig replacements and/or enhancement programs;

 

    the estimated maintenance, inspection or other reactivation costs associated with a rig returning to work;

 

    salvage value for each rig; and

 

    estimated proceeds that may be received on disposition of each rig.

Based on these assumptions, we develop a matrix for each rig under evaluation using multiple utilization/dayrate scenarios, to each of which we have assigned a probability of occurrence. We arrive at a projected probability-weighted cash flow for each rig based on the respective matrix and compare such amount to the carrying value of the asset to assess recoverability.

The underlying assumptions and assigned probabilities of occurrence for utilization and dayrate scenarios are developed using a methodology that examines historical data for each rig, which considers the rig’s age, rated water depth and other attributes and then assesses its future marketability in light of the current and projected market environment at the time of assessment. Other assumptions, such as operating, maintenance, inspection and reactivation costs, are estimated using historical data adjusted for known developments, cost projections for re-entry of rigs into the market and future events that are anticipated by management at the time of the assessment.

Management’s assumptions are necessarily subjective and are an inherent part of our asset impairment evaluation, and the use of different assumptions could produce results that differ from those reported. Our methodology generally involves the use of significant unobservable inputs, representative of a Level 3 fair value measurement, which may include assumptions related to future dayrate revenue, costs and rig utilization, quotes from rig brokers, the long-term future performance of our rigs and future market conditions. Management’s assumptions involve uncertainties about future demand for our services, dayrates, expenses and other future events, and management’s expectations may not be indicative of future outcomes. Significant unanticipated changes to these assumptions could materially alter our analysis in testing an asset for potential impairment. For example, changes in market conditions that exist at the measurement date or that are projected by management could affect our key assumptions. Other events or circumstances that could affect our assumptions may include, but are not limited to, a further sustained decline in oil and gas prices, cancelations of our drilling contracts or contracts of our competitors, contract modifications, costs to comply with new governmental regulations, capital expenditures required due to advances in offshore drilling technology, growth in the global oversupply of oil and geopolitical events, such as lifting sanctions on oil-producing nations. Should actual market conditions in the future vary significantly from market conditions used in our projections, our assessment of impairment would likely be different. See Note 2.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

We believe that the carrying amount of our current financial instruments approximates fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments. See Note 7.

Debt Issuance Costs

Debt Issuance Costs

Deferred costs associated with our senior notes are presented in our Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2017 and 2016 as a reduction in the related long-term debt and are amortized over the respective terms of the related debt. See Note 9.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

We account for income taxes in accordance with accounting standards that require the recognition of the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current year and an asset and liability approach in recognizing the amount of deferred tax liabilities and assets for the future tax consequences of events that have been currently recognized in our financial statements or tax returns. In each of our tax jurisdictions we recognize a current tax liability or asset for the estimated taxes payable or refundable on tax returns for the current year and a deferred tax asset or liability for the estimated future tax effects attributable to temporary differences and carryforwards. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance, if necessary, which is determined by the amount of any tax benefits that, based on available evidence, are not expected to be realized under a “more likely than not” approach. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are classified as noncurrent in a classified statement of financial position. We make judgments regarding future events and related estimates especially as they pertain to the forecasting of our effective tax rate, the potential realization of deferred tax assets such as utilization of foreign tax credits, and exposure to the disallowance of items deducted on tax returns upon audit.

We record interest related to accrued unrecognized tax positions in “Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized” and recognize penalties associated with uncertain tax positions in “Income tax benefit” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Liabilities for uncertain tax positions, including any penalty, are denominated in the currency of the related tax jurisdiction and are revalued for changes in currency exchange rates. The revaluation of such liabilities for uncertain tax positions is reported in “Income tax benefit” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. See Note 15.

Treasury Stock

Treasury Stock

In connection with the vesting of restricted stock units held by certain individuals, we acquired 29,416 and 7,923 shares of our common stock during 2017 and 2016, respectively (valued at $0.5 million in 2017 and $0.2 million in 2016), in satisfaction of tax withholding obligations that were incurred on the vesting date. See Note 4.

Depending on market conditions, we may, from time to time, purchase shares of our common stock in the open market or otherwise. We account for the purchase of treasury stock using the cost method, which reports the cost of the shares acquired in “Treasury stock” as a deduction from stockholders’ equity in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We did not repurchase any shares of our outstanding common stock during 2017, 2016 or 2015.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income (loss) is the change in equity of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances except those transactions resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners. Comprehensive income (loss) for the three years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 includes net income (loss) and unrealized holding gains and losses on marketable securities and financial derivatives designated as cash flow accounting hedges. See Note 10.

Foreign Currency

Foreign Currency

Our functional currency is the U.S. dollar. Transactions incurred in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are subject to gains or losses due to fluctuations in those currencies. We report foreign currency transaction gains and losses as “Foreign currency transaction (loss) gain” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations and may also include, when applicable, unrealized gains and losses to record the carrying value of foreign currency forward exchange, or FOREX, contracts not designated as accounting hedges and realized gains and losses from the settlement of such contracts. The revaluation of assets and liabilities related to foreign income taxes, including deferred tax assets and liabilities and uncertain tax positions, including any penalty, is reported in “Income tax benefit (expense)” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue from dayrate drilling contracts as services are performed. In connection with such drilling contracts, we may receive fees (on either a lump-sum or dayrate basis) for the mobilization of equipment. We earn these fees as services are performed over the initial term of the related drilling contracts. We defer mobilization fees received, as well as direct and incremental mobilization costs incurred, and amortize each, on a straight-line basis, over the term of the related drilling contracts (which is the period we estimate to be benefited from the mobilization activity). Straight-line amortization of mobilization revenues and related costs over the term of the related drilling contracts (which generally range from two to 60 months) is consistent with the timing of net cash flows generated from the actual drilling services performed. Absent a contract, mobilization costs are recognized currently. Upon completion of a drilling contract, we recognize in earnings any demobilization fees received and costs incurred.

Some of our drilling contracts require downtime before the start of the contract to prepare the rig to meet customer requirements. At times, we may be compensated by the customer for such work (on either a lump-sum or dayrate basis). These fees are generally earned as services are performed over the initial term of the related drilling contracts. We defer contract preparation fees received, as well as direct and incremental costs associated with the contract preparation activities and amortize each, on a straight-line basis, over the term of the related drilling contracts (which we estimate to be benefited from the contract preparation activity).

From time to time, we may receive fees from our customers for capital improvements to our rigs (on either a lump-sum or dayrate basis). We defer such fees received in “Accrued liabilities” and “Other liabilities” in our Consolidated Balance Sheets and recognize these fees into income on a straight-line basis over the period of the related drilling contract. We capitalize the costs of such capital improvements and depreciate them over the estimated useful life of the improvement.

We record reimbursements received for the purchase of supplies, equipment, personnel services and other services provided at the request of our customers in accordance with a contract or agreement, for the gross amount billed to the customer, as “Revenues related to reimbursable expenses” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In October 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, No. 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory, or ASU 2016-16. ASU 2016-16 amends the guidance in Topic 740 with respect to the accounting for the income tax consequences of intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory. This guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. We have evaluated our historical intra-group transactions for possible impact under the provisions of ASU 2016-16. The guidance in ASU 2016-16 will be applied effective January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective approach whereby we will record the cumulative effect of applying the new standard as an adjustment to opening retained earnings with an offset to a deferred income tax liability. We expect to reduce opening retained earnings by approximately $18 million upon adoption of the standard on January 1, 2018.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, or ASU 2016-15. ASU 2016-15 provides specific guidance on eight cash flow classification issues not specifically addressed by GAAP: debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs; settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments; contingent consideration payments; proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims; proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies; distributions from equity method investees; beneficial interests in securitization transactions; and separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle. The amendments in ASU 2016-15 are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. ASU 2016-15 should be applied using a retrospective transition method, unless it is impracticable to do so for some of the issues. In such case, the amendments for those issues would be applied prospectively as of the earliest date practicable. We do not expect ASU 2016-15 to have a significant impact on the presentation of cash receipts and cash payments within our consolidated statements of cash flows.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), or ASU 2016-02, which requires an entity to separate the lease components from the non-lease components in a contract. The lease components are to be accounted for under ASU 2016-02, which, under the guidance, may require recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities by lessees for most leases and derecognition of the leased asset and recognition of a net investment in the lease by the lessor. ASU 2016-02 also provides for additional disclosure requirements for both lessees and lessors. Non-lease components would be accounted for under ASU 2014-09. We have determined that under the new standard, our drilling contracts contain a lease component and therefore we will be required to separately recognize revenues associated with the lease and services components. Additionally, for transactions in which we are considered lessees, we will recognize a lease liability and right of use asset based on our portfolio of leases as of the time of adoption. The guidance of ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption of ASU 2016-02 is permitted. We expect to adopt ASU 2016-02on January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective approach. We are currently reviewing the requirements of the accounting standard with regard to arrangements under which we are either the lessor or lessee, to determine the impact of ASU 2016-02, including any newly issued guidance, on our financial position, results of operations, cash flows and disclosures contained in the notes to our consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), or ASU 2014-09, which is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The new standard supersedes the industry-specific standards that currently exist under GAAP and provides a framework to address revenue recognition issues comprehensively for all contracts with customers regardless of industry-specific or transaction-specific fact patterns. Under the new guidance, companies recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 provides a five-step analysis of transactions to determine when and how revenue is recognized and requires enhanced disclosures about revenue. When applying the new standard, we plan to account for the integrated services provided within our drilling contracts as a single performance obligation composed of a series of distinct time increments, which will be satisfied over time. We will determine the total transaction price for each individual contract by estimating both fixed and variable consideration expected to be earned over the term of the contract. Consideration that does not relate to a distinct good or service, such as mobilization, demobilization, and contract preparation revenue, will be allocated across the single performance obligation and recognized ratably over the term of the contract. All other components of consideration within a contract, including the dayrate revenue, will continue to be recognized in the period when the services are performed. We expect our revenue recognition under ASU 2014-09 to differ from our current revenue recognition pattern only as it relates to demobilization revenue. Such revenue, which is recognized upon completion of a contract under current GAAP, will be estimated at contract inception and recognized over the term of the contract under the new guidance. We plan to adopt ASU 2014-09 effective January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective approach whereby we will record the cumulative effect of applying the new standard to all outstanding contracts as of January 1, 2018 as an adjustment to opening retained earnings. We do not expect this adjustment to be significant as it will primarily consist of the impact of the timing difference related to recognition of demobilization revenue for affected contracts. Not all contracts include a demobilization provision.