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Intangibles - (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019
Changes in intangibles |  |
Balance at beginning of year | $ 8,499 | $ 7,962
Additions | 2,542 | 478
Disposals | (141) | (17)
Amortization | (201) | (307)
Impairment (note 18) |  | (123)
Acquisition of subsidiary |  | 728
Translation adjustment | (1,403) | (222)
Balance at end of year | 9,296 | 8,499
Goodwill |  |
Changes in intangibles |  |
Balance at beginning of year | 3,629 | 3,653
Translation adjustment | (331) | (24)
Balance at end of year | 3,298 | 3,629
Railways concessions |  |
Changes in intangibles |  |
Balance at beginning of year | 3,970 | 4,061
Additions | 2,513 | 439
Disposals | (7) | (17)
Amortization | (177) | (239)
Impairment (note 18) |  | (112)
Acquisition of subsidiary |  | 3
Translation adjustment | (908) | (165)
Balance at end of year | 5,391 | 3,970
Contract right |  |
Changes in intangibles |  |
Balance at beginning of year | 140 | 137
Disposals | (134) |
Amortization | (1) | (2)
Translation adjustment | (5) | 5
Balance at end of year |  | 140
Software |  |
Changes in intangibles |  |
Balance at beginning of year | 76 | 111
Additions | 29 | 39
Amortization | (23) | (66)
Impairment (note 18) |  | (11)
Acquisition of subsidiary |  | 1
Translation adjustment | (6) | 2
Balance at end of year | 76 | 76
Research and development project and patents |  |
Changes in intangibles |  |
Balance at beginning of year | 684 |
Acquisition of subsidiary |  | 724
Translation adjustment | (153) | (40)
Balance at end of year | 531 | 684
Carrying amount |  |
Changes in intangibles |  |
Balance at beginning of year | 10,539 |
Balance at end of year | 11,067 | 10,539
Carrying amount | Goodwill |  |
Changes in intangibles |  |
Balance at beginning of year | 3,629 |
Balance at end of year | 3,298 | 3,629
Carrying amount | Railways concessions |  |
Changes in intangibles |  |
Balance at beginning of year | 5,090 |
Balance at end of year | 6,393 | 5,090
Carrying amount | Contract right |  |
Changes in intangibles |  |
Balance at beginning of year | 248 |
Balance at end of year | 102 | 248
Carrying amount | Software |  |
Changes in intangibles |  |
Balance at beginning of year | 888 |
Balance at end of year | 743 | 888
Carrying amount | Research and development project and patents |  |
Changes in intangibles |  |
Balance at beginning of year | 684 |
Balance at end of year | 531 | 684
Accumulated amortization |  |
Changes in intangibles |  |
Balance at beginning of year | (2,040) |
Balance at end of year | (1,771) | (2,040)
Accumulated amortization | Railways concessions |  |
Changes in intangibles |  |
Balance at beginning of year | (1,120) |
Balance at end of year | (1,002) | (1,120)
Accumulated amortization | Contract right |  |
Changes in intangibles |  |
Balance at beginning of year | (108) |
Balance at end of year | (102) | (108)
Accumulated amortization | Software |  |
Changes in intangibles |  |
Balance at beginning of year | (812) |
Balance at end of year | $ (667) | $ (812)

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