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Charges and Credits

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]

3. Charges and Credits

Schlumberger recorded the following charges and credits during 2019, 2018 and 2017:

2019

Schlumberger recorded the following charges and credits during 2019, all of which are classified as Impairments & other in the Consolidated Statement of Income (Loss), except for the gain on the formation of the Sensia joint venture:

	(Stated in millions)

	Pretax			Tax			Net
Fourth quarter:
North America restructuring	$	225		$	51		$	174
Other restructuring		104			(33	)		137
Workforce reductions		68			8			60
Pension settlement accounting		37			8			29
Repurchase of bonds		22			5			17
Gain on formation of Sensia joint venture		(247	)		(42	)		(205	)
Third quarter:
Goodwill impairment		8,828			43			8,785
Intangible assets impairment		1,085			248			837
North America pressure pumping		1,575			344			1,231
Other North America-related		310			53			257
Argentina		127			-			127
Equity-method investments		231			12			219
Asset Performance Solutions		294			-			294
Other		242			13			229
	$	12,901		$	710		$	12,191

Fourth quarter of 2019:

•

Schlumberger recorded the following restructuring charges during the fourth quarter of 2019:

$225 million associated with facility closures and costs to exit certain activities in North America. These charges included $123 million relating to fixed assets; $55 million of right-of-use assets under operating leases; and $47 million of other exit costs.

$104 million primarily relating to restructuring certain activities outside of North America, which included $68 million associated with assets to be divested and $36 million of facility closure costs.

$68 million of severance associated with streamlining its operations and exiting certain activities.

•

Certain of Schlumberger’s defined benefit pension plans offered former Schlumberger employees, who had not yet commenced receiving their pension benefits, an opportunity to receive a lump sum payout of their vested pension benefit. Schlumberger’s pension plans paid $257 million from pension plan assets to those who accepted this offer, thereby reducing its pension benefit obligations. These transactions had no cash impact on Schlumberger, but did result in a non-cash pension settlement charge of $37 million in the fourth quarter of 2019. This settlement charge represented the immediate recognition of the related deferred actuarial losses in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss.

•

During the fourth quarter of 2019, Schlumberger repurchased certain Senior Notes (see Note 9 – Long-term debt), which resulted in a $22 million charge.

•

On October 1, 2019, Schlumberger and Rockwell completed the formation of Sensia, a joint venture that is the oil and gas industry’s first digitally enabled integrated automation solutions provider. Rockwell Automation owns 53% of the joint venture and Schlumberger owns 47%. In connection with this transaction, Schlumberger received a cash payment of $238 million. Schlumberger will account for its investment under the equity method of accounting. During the fourth quarter of 2019, Schlumberger recorded a $247 million gain as a result of the deconsolidation of certain of its businesses in connection with the formation of the joint venture. This gain, which is equal to the sum of the $238 million of cash proceeds received and the fair value of Schlumberger’s retained noncontrolling investment in the businesses it contributed less the carrying amount of the assets and liabilities of such businesses at the time of the closing, is classified as Gain on formation of Sensia in the Consolidated Statement of Income (Loss).

Third quarter of 2019:

•

During August 2019, Schlumberger’s market capitalization deteriorated significantly compared to the end of the second quarter of 2019. Schlumberger’s stock price reached a low not seen since 2005. Additionally, the Philadelphia Oil Services Sector Index, which is comprised of companies in the oil services sector, reached an 18-year low.

As a result of these facts, Schlumberger determined that it was more likely than not that the fair value of certain of its reporting units were less than their carrying value. Therefore, Schlumberger performed an interim goodwill impairment test as of August 31, 2019.

As of August 31, 2019, Schlumberger had 17 reporting units with goodwill balances aggregating $25.0 billion. Schlumberger determined that the fair value of seven of its reporting units, representing approximately $13.8 billion of the goodwill, was substantially in excess of their carrying value. Schlumberger performed a detailed quantitative impairment assessment of the remaining 10 reporting units, which represented $11.2 billion of goodwill. As a result of this assessment, Schlumberger concluded that the goodwill associated with nine of the 10 reporting units was impaired, resulting in an $8.8 billion goodwill impairment charge. This charge primarily relates to Schlumberger’s Drilling and Cameron segments.

Following the $8.8 billion goodwill impairment charge relating to these nine reporting units, only three had a remaining goodwill balance. These three reporting units had goodwill balances which ranged between $0.4 billion and $0.6 billion and aggregated to $1.5 billion as of August 31, 2019. The tenth reporting unit, which was determined not to be impaired, had $0.9 billion of goodwill.

Schlumberger primarily used the income approach to estimate the fair value of its reporting units, but also considered the market approach to validate the results. The income approach estimates the fair value by discounting each reporting unit’s estimated future cash flows using Schlumberger’s estimate of the discount rate, or expected return, that a marketplace participant would have required as of the valuation date. The market approach includes the use of comparative multiples to corroborate the discounted cash flow results. The market approach involves significant judgement involved in the selection of the appropriate peer group companies and valuation multiples.

Some of the more significant assumptions inherent in the income approach include the estimated future net annual cash flows for each reporting unit and the discount rate. Schlumberger selected the assumptions used in the discounted cash flow projections using historical data supplemented by current and anticipated market conditions and estimated growth rates. Schlumberger’s estimates are based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable. However, given the inherent uncertainty in determining the assumptions underlying a discounted cash flow analysis, actual results may differ from those used in Schlumberger’s valuations which could result in additional impairment charges in the future.

The discount rates utilized to value Schlumberger’s reporting units were between 12.5% and 14.0%, depending on the risks and uncertainty inherent in the respective reporting unit. Assuming all other assumptions and inputs used in each of the respective discounted cash flow analysis were held constant, a 50 basis point increase in the discount rate assumption would have increased the goodwill impairment charge by approximately $0.3 billion. Conversely, assuming all other assumptions and inputs used in each of the respective discounted cash flow analysis were held constant, a 50 basis point decrease in the discount rate assumption would have decreased the goodwill impairment charge by approximately $0.4 billion.

•

The negative market indicators described above combined with deteriorating market conditions in North America, as well as the results of the previously mentioned fair value determinations of certain of Schlumberger’s reporting units and the appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer (as described below), were all triggering events that indicated that certain of Schlumberger’s long-lived tangible and intangible assets may be impaired.

Recoverability testing, which was performed as of August 31, 2019, indicated that long-lived assets associated with certain asset groups were impaired. The estimated fair value of these asset groups was determined to be below their carrying value. As a result, Schlumberger recorded the following impairment and related charges:

$1.085 billion of intangible assets, of which $842 million relates to Schlumberger’s 2010 acquisition of Smith International, Inc. The remaining $243 million primarily relates to other acquisitions in North America.

$1.575 billion of charges relating to Schlumberger’s pressure pumping business in North America. This amount consists of $1.324 billion of pressure pumping equipment and related assets; $98 million of right-of-use assets under operating leases; $121 million relating to a supply contract; $19 million of inventory; and $13 million of severance.

$310 million of charges primarily relating to other businesses in North America, consisting of $230 million of fixed asset impairments, $70 million of inventory write-downs and $10 million of severance.

•

As a result of the ongoing economic challenges in Argentina, Schlumberger recorded $127 million of charges during the third quarter of 2019. This consists of $72 million of asset impairments, a $26 million devaluation charge and $29 million of severance.

•

Schlumberger also recorded the following impairment and restructuring charges during the third quarter of 2019:

$231 million relating to certain equity method investments that were determined to be other-than-temporarily impaired.

$294 million impairment relating to the carrying value of certain smaller APS projects.

$242 million of restructuring charges consisting of: $62 million of severance; $57 million relating to the acceleration of stock-based compensation expense associated with certain individuals; $49 million of business divestiture costs; $29 million relating to the repurchase of certain Senior Notes (see Note 9 - Long-term Debt); and $45 million of other provisions.

The fair value of certain of the assets impaired during 2019 was estimated based on the present value of projected future cash flows that the underlying assets are expected to generate. Such estimates included unobservable inputs that required significant judgment.

During the third quarter of 2019, Schlumberger’s Board of Directors announced the appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer. As the new Chief Executive Officer further develops and implements his strategy, it may result in additional restructuring charges in future periods. Furthermore, Schlumberger may be required to record additional impairment charges if industry conditions deteriorate.

2018

During 2018, Schlumberger recorded the following charges and credits:

	(Stated in millions)

	Pretax			Tax			Net
Gain on sale of marine seismic acquisition business	$	(215	)	$	(19	)	$	(196	)
Workforce reductions		184			20			164
Asset impairments		172			16			156
	$	141		$	17		$	124

•

During the fourth quarter of 2018, Schlumberger completed the divestiture of its marine seismic acquisition business to Shearwater GeoServices (“Shearwater”) for $600 million of cash and a 15% equity interest in Shearwater. As a result of this transaction, Schlumberger recognized a $215 million gain. This gain is classified in Gain on sale of business in the Consolidated Statement of Income (Loss).

•

During the fourth quarter of 2018, Schlumberger recorded $172 million of charges to fully impair certain long-lived assets. This amount is classified in Impairments & other in the Consolidated Statement of Income (Loss).

•

During the second quarter of 2018, Schlumberger recorded a $184 million charge associated with workforce reductions, primarily to further streamline its support cost structure. This charge is classified in Impairment & other in the Consolidated Statement of Income (Loss).

2017

Schlumberger recorded the following charges and credits during 2017, of which $3.211 billion were classified as Impairments & other, $245 million were classified in Cost of sales and $308 million were classified as Merger & integration in the Consolidated Statement of Income (Loss):

	(Stated in millions)

						Noncontrolling
	Pretax		Tax			Interests		Net
Impairment & other
WesternGeco seismic restructuring charges	$	1,114	$	20		$	-	$	1,094
Venezuela investment write-down		938		-			-		938
Promissory note fair value adjustment and other		510		-			12		498
Workforce reductions		247		13			-		234
Multiclient seismic data impairment		246		81			-		165
Other restructuring charges		156		10			22		124
Cost of sales							-		-
Provision for loss on long-term construction project		245		22			-		223
Merger & integration							-		-
Merger and integration-related costs		308		70			-		238
US tax reform charge		-		(76	)		-		76
	$	3,764	$	140		$	34	$	3,590

•

During the fourth quarter of 2017, Schlumberger decided to cease all future marine seismic acquisition activities, after satisfying its remaining contractual commitments. This decision resulted in a charge of $1.025 billion consisting of the following: $786 million write-down of the vessels to their estimated fair value; $78 million impairment of intangible assets; $59 million write-down of inventory, and $102 million of other related restructuring costs. The fair value of the vessels was determined based on unobservable inputs that required significant judgments. Schlumberger also recorded a $90 million impairment charge relating to its land seismic business.

•

As a result of the unfavorable near-term outlook for exploration spending, Schlumberger determined in the fourth quarter of 2017 that the carrying value of certain multiclient seismic data, primarily related to the US Gulf of Mexico, was impaired, resulting in a $246 million charge that was estimated based on the projected present value of future cash flows these surveys are expected to generate.

•

During the fourth quarter of 2017, Schlumberger determined that it was appropriate to write-down its investment in Venezuela, given the recent economic and political developments in the country which have created significant uncertainties regarding recoverability. As a result, Schlumberger recorded a charge of $938 million, reflecting $469 million of accounts receivable, a $105 million other-than-temporary impairment charge relating to certain promissory notes, $285 million of fixed assets and $79 million of other assets in the country.

•

During the fourth quarter of 2017, Schlumberger recorded a $245 million charge related to an estimated loss on a long-term surface facility construction project.

•

Schlumberger recorded $156 million of other restructuring charges during the fourth quarter of 2017, primarily relating to facility and other exit costs.

•

During the fourth quarter of 2017, Schlumberger recorded a $247 million charge associated with workforce reductions primarily to further streamline its support cost structure.

•

On December 22, 2017, the US enacted the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”). The Act, which is also commonly referred to as “US tax reform,” significantly changes US corporate income tax laws by, among other things, reducing the US corporate income tax rate to 21% starting in 2018 and creating a territorial tax system with a one-time mandatory tax on previously deferred foreign earnings of US subsidiaries. As a result, Schlumberger recorded a net charge of $76 million during the fourth quarter of 2017. This amount, which is included in Tax expense (benefit) in the Consolidated Statement of Income (Loss), consists of two components: (i) a $410 million charge relating to the one-time mandatory tax on previously deferred earnings of certain non-US subsidiaries that are owned either wholly or partially by a US subsidiary of Schlumberger, and (ii) a $334 million credit resulting from the remeasurement of Schlumberger’s net deferred tax liabilities in the US based on the new lower corporate income tax rate. Although the $76 million net charge represented what Schlumberger believed was a reasonable estimate of the impact of the income tax effects of the Act on Schlumberger’s Consolidated Financial Statements

as of December 31, 2017, it was considered provisional. During 2018, Schlumberger finalized its accounting for this matter and concluded that no material adjustments were required. After considering the impact of foreign tax credits and tax losses, the resulting cash tax payable as a result of the one-time mandatory tax on previously deferred foreign earnings of Schlumberger’s US subsidiary was not significant.

•

During the second quarter of 2017, Schlumberger entered into a financing agreement with its primary customer in Venezuela. This agreement resulted in the exchange of $700 million of outstanding accounts receivable for promissory notes with a three-year term that bear interest at the rate of 6.50% per annum. Schlumberger recorded these notes at their estimated fair value on the date of the exchange, which resulted in a charge of $460 million. Following the $105 million other-than-temporary impairment charge described above, the new cost basis of these promissory notes was $135 million, which approximated their fair value at December 31, 2017. Schlumberger sold these promissory notes during the fourth quarter of 2018, which resulted in an immaterial loss.

•

During the second quarter of 2017, Schlumberger entered into discussions with a customer relating to certain of its outstanding accounts receivable. As a result of these discussions, Schlumberger recorded a charge of $50 million to adjust these receivables to their estimated net realizable value.

•

Schlumberger recorded $308 million of charges during 2017 relating to employee benefits, facility closures and other merger and integration-related costs, primarily in connection with Schlumberger’s 2016 acquisition of Cameron International Corporation.