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Commitments And Contingencies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]  
Commitments And Contingencies

 

 

 

18.Commitments and Contingencies

 

Devon is party to various legal actions arising in the normal course of business. Matters that are probable of unfavorable outcome to Devon and which can be reasonably estimated are accrued. Such accruals are based on information known about the matters, Devon's estimates of the outcomes of such matters and its experience in contesting, litigating and settling similar matters. None of the actions are believed by management to involve future amounts that would be material to Devon's financial position or results of operations after consideration of recorded accruals. Actual amounts could differ materially from management's estimates.

 

Royalty Matters

 

Numerous natural gas producers and related parties, including Devon, have been named in various lawsuits alleging royalty underpayments. The suits allege that the producers and related parties used below-market prices, made improper deductions, used improper measurement techniques and entered into gas purchase and processing arrangements with affiliates that resulted in underpayment of royalties in connection with natural gas and NGLs produced and sold. Devon does not currently believe that it is subject to material exposure with respect to such royalty matters.

 

Environmental Matters

 

Devon is subject to certain laws and regulations relating to environmental remediation activities associated with past operations, such as the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act and similar state statutes. In response to liabilities associated with these activities, loss accruals primarily consist of estimated uninsured remediation costs. Devon's monetary exposure for environmental matters is not expected to be material.

 

Other Matters

 

Devon is involved in other various routine legal proceedings incidental to its business. However, to Devon's knowledge, there were no other material pending legal proceedings to which Devon is a party or to which any of its property is subject.

 

Commitments

 

The following is a schedule by year of Devon’s commitments that have initial or remaining noncancelable terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2014.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year Ending December 31,

 

Purchase Obligations

 

Drilling and Facility Obligations

 

Operational Agreements

 

Office and Equipment Leases

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(In millions)

2015

 

$                    663

 

$                      234

 

$                      943

 

$                        72

2016

 

809 

 

116 

 

919 

 

50 

2017

 

885 

 

77 

 

890 

 

50 

2018

 

920 

 

13 

 

856 

 

45 

2019

 

895 

 

 

334 

 

39 

Thereafter

 

1,134 

 

 

1,142 

 

149 

Total

 

$                 5,306

 

$                      446

 

$                   5,084

 

$                      405

 

Purchase obligation amounts represent contractual commitments primarily to purchase condensate at market prices for use at Devon’s heavy oil projects in Canada. Devon has entered into these agreements because condensate is an integral part of the heavy oil transportation process. Any disruption in Devon’s ability to obtain condensate could negatively affect its ability to transport heavy oil at these locations. Devon’s total obligation related to condensate purchases expires in 2021. The value of the obligation in the table above is based on the contractual volumes and Devon’s internal estimate of future condensate market prices.

 

Devon has certain drilling and facility obligations under contractual agreements with third-party service providers to procure drilling rigs and other related services for developmental and exploratory drilling and facilities construction. The value of the drilling obligations reported is based on gross contractual value.

 

Devon has certain operational agreements whereby Devon has committed to transport or process certain volumes of oil, gas and NGLs for a fixed fee. Devon has entered into these agreements to aid the movement of its production to downstream markets.

 

Devon leases certain office space and equipment under operating lease arrangements. Total rental expense included in general and administrative expenses under operating leases, net of sub-lease income, was $64 million, $26 million and $42 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.