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Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies

 

1.Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Devon Energy Corporation (“Devon”) is a leading independent energy company engaged primarily in the exploration, development and production of oil, natural gas and NGLs. Devon’s operations are concentrated in various North American onshore areas in the U.S. and Canada. Devon also owns natural gas pipelines, plants and treatment facilities through its ownership in EnLink Midstream Partners, LP, a publicly traded MLP.

 

Accounting policies used by Devon and its subsidiaries conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and reflect industry practices. The more significant of such policies are discussed below.

 

Principles of Consolidation

 

    The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Devon and entities in which it holds a controlling interest. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated. Undivided interests in oil and natural gas exploration and production joint ventures are consolidated on a proportionate basis. Investments in non-controlled entities, over which Devon has the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies, are accounted for using the equity method. In applying the equity method of accounting, the investments are initially recognized at cost and subsequently adjusted for Devon’s proportionate share of earnings, losses and distributions. Investments accounted for using the equity method and cost method are reported as a component of other long-term assets.

    As discussed more fully in Note 2, on March 7, 2014, Devon completed a business combination whereby Devon controls both EnLink Midstream Partners, LP (EnLink”) and its general partner entity, EnLink Midstream, LLC (the “General Partner”). Devon controls both the General Partner’s and EnLink’s operations; therefore, the General Partner’s and EnLink’s accounts are included in Devon’s accompanying consolidated financial statements subsequent to the completion of the transaction. The portions of the General Partner’s and EnLink’s net earnings and stockholders’ equity not attributable to Devon’s controlling interest are shown separately as noncontrolling interests in the accompanying consolidated comprehensive statements of earnings and consolidated balance sheets.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements 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 amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual amounts could differ from these estimates, and changes in these estimates are recorded when known. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the following:

 

• proved reserves and related present value of future net revenues;

• the carrying value of oil and gas properties and midstream assets;

• derivative financial instruments;

• the fair value of reporting units and related assessment of goodwill for impairment;

• the fair value of intangible assets other than goodwill;

• income taxes;

• asset retirement obligations;

 

 

 

 

• obligations related to employee pension and postretirement benefits; and

• legal and environmental risks and exposures.

 

Revenue Recognition and Gas Balancing

 

Oil, gas and NGL sales are recognized when production is sold to a purchaser at a fixed or determinable price, delivery has occurred, title has transferred and collectability of the revenue is probable. Delivery occurs and title is transferred when production has been delivered to a pipeline, railcar or truck. Cash received relating to future production is deferred and recognized when all revenue recognition criteria are met. Taxes assessed by governmental authorities on oil, gas and NGL sales are presented separately from such revenues in the accompanying consolidated comprehensive statements of earnings.

 

Devon follows the sales method of accounting for gas production imbalances. The volumes of gas sold may differ from the volumes to which Devon is entitled based on its interests in the properties. These differences create imbalances that are recognized as a liability only when the estimated remaining reserves will not be sufficient to enable the underproduced owner to recoup its entitled share through production. The liability is measured based on current market prices. No receivables are recorded for those wells where Devon has taken less than its share of production unless all revenue recognition criteria are met. If an imbalance exists at the time the wells' reserves are depleted, settlements are made among the joint interest owners under a variety of arrangements.

 

Marketing and midstream revenues are recorded at the time products are sold or services are provided to third parties at a fixed or determinable price, delivery or performance has occurred, title has transferred and collectability of the revenue is probable. Revenues and expenses attributable to oil, gas and NGL purchases, transportation and processing contracts are reported on a gross basis when Devon takes title to the products and has risks and rewards of ownership.

 

During 2014, 2013 and 2012, no purchaser accounted for more than 10 percent of Devon’s operating revenues from continuing operations.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Devon is exposed to certain risks relating to its ongoing business operations, including risks related to commodity prices, interest rates and Canadian to U.S. dollar exchange rates. As discussed more fully below, Devon uses derivative instruments primarily to manage commodity price risk, interest rate risk and foreign exchange risk. Devon does not intend to issue or hold derivative financial instruments for speculative trading purposes.

 

Devon periodically enters into derivative financial instruments with respect to a portion of its oil, gas and NGL production to hedge future prices received. Additionally, Devon, through EnLink, periodically enters into derivative financial instruments with respect to a portion of EnLink’s oil, gas and NGL marketing activities. These instruments are used to manage the inherent uncertainty of future revenues due to commodity price volatility. Devon's derivative financial instruments typically include financial price swaps, basis swaps, costless price collars and call options. Under the terms of the price swaps, Devon receives a fixed price for its production and pays a variable market price to the contract counterparty. For the basis swaps, Devon receives a fixed differential between two regional index prices and pays a variable differential on the same two index prices to the contract counterparty. The price collars set a floor and ceiling price for the hedged production. If the applicable monthly price indices are outside of the ranges set by the floor and ceiling prices in the various collars, Devon will cash-settle the difference with the counterparty to the collars. The call options give counterparties the right to purchase production at a predetermined price.

 

Devon periodically enters into interest rate swaps to manage its exposure to interest rate volatility. Devon periodically enters into foreign exchange forward contracts to manage its exposure to fluctuations in exchange rates.

 

All derivative financial instruments are recognized at their current fair value as either assets or liabilities in the balance sheet. Changes in the fair value of these derivative financial instruments are recorded in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. For derivative financial instruments held during the three-year period ended December 31, 2014, Devon chose not to meet the necessary criteria to qualify its derivative financial instruments for hedge accounting treatment. Cash settlements with counterparties on Devon's derivative financial instruments are also recorded in earnings.

 

By using derivative financial instruments to hedge exposures to changes in commodity prices, interest rates and foreign currency rates, Devon is exposed to credit risk. Credit risk is the failure of the counterparty to perform under the terms of the derivative contract. To mitigate this risk, the hedging instruments are placed with a number of counterparties whom Devon believes are acceptable credit risks. It is Devon's policy to enter into derivative contracts only with investment-grade-rated counterparties deemed by management to be competent and competitive market makers. Additionally, Devon's derivative contracts generally require cash collateral to be posted if either its or the counterparty's credit rating falls below certain credit rating levels. The mark-to-market exposure threshold, above which collateral must be posted, decreases as the debt rating falls further below such credit levels. As of December 31, 2014, Devon held $524 million of cash collateral, which represented the estimated fair value of certain derivative positions in excess of Devon’s credit guidelines. The collateral is reported in other current liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

 

General and Administrative Expenses

 

General and administrative expenses are reported net of amounts reimbursed by working interest owners of the oil and gas properties operated by Devon and net of amounts capitalized pursuant to the full cost method of accounting.

 

Share-Based Compensation

 

Independent of EnLink, Devon grants share-based awards to independent members of its Board of Directors and selected employees. EnLink and its General Partner also grant share-based awards to independent members of its Board of Directors and selected employees. All such awards are measured at fair value on the date of grant and are generally recognized as a component of general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated comprehensive statements of earnings over the applicable requisite service periods. As a result of Devon’s restructuring activity discussed in Note 6, certain share-based awards were accelerated and recognized as a component of restructuring costs in the accompanying consolidated comprehensive statements of earnings.

 

Generally, Devon uses new shares from approved incentive programs to grant share-based awards and to issue shares upon stock option exercises. Shares repurchased under approved programs are available to be issued as part of Devon’s share-based awards. However, Devon has historically canceled these shares upon repurchase.

 

Income Taxes

 

Devon is subject to current income taxes assessed by the federal and various state jurisdictions in the U.S. and by other foreign jurisdictions. In addition, Devon accounts for deferred income taxes related to these jurisdictions using the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Deferred tax assets are also recognized for the future tax benefits attributable to the expected utilization of existing tax net operating loss carryforwards and other types of carryforwards. If the future utilization of some portion of carryforwards is determined to be unlikely, a valuation allowance is provided to reduce the recorded tax benefits from such assets. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences and carryforwards are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

 

Devon does not recognize U.S. deferred income taxes on the unremitted earnings of its foreign subsidiaries that are deemed to be indefinitely reinvested. When such earnings are no longer deemed indefinitely reinvested, Devon recognizes the appropriate deferred, or even current, income tax liabilities.

 

Devon recognizes the financial statement effects of tax positions when it is more likely than not, based on the technical merits, that the position will be sustained upon examination by a taxing authority. Recognized tax positions are initially and subsequently measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is more likely than not of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority. Liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits related to such tax positions are included in other long-term liabilities unless the tax position is expected to be settled within the upcoming year, in which case the liabilities are included in other current liabilities. Interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits are included in current income tax expense.

 

Net Earnings (Loss) Per Share Attributable to Devon

 

Devon’s basic earnings per share amounts have been computed based on the average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period. Basic earnings per share includes the effect of participating securities, which primarily consist of Devon's outstanding restricted stock awards. Diluted earnings per share is calculated using the treasury stock method to reflect the assumed issuance of common shares for all potentially dilutive securities. Such securities primarily consist of outstanding stock options.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents  

 

Devon considers all highly liquid investments with original contractual maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

 

Investments

 

Devon periodically invests excess cash in United States and Canadian treasury securities and other marketable securities. Devon considers securities with original contractual maturities in excess of three months but less than one year to be short-term investments. Investments with contractual maturities in excess of one year are classified as long-term, unless such investments are classified as trading or available-for-sale.

 

Devon reports its investments and other marketable securities at fair value, except for debt securities in which management has the ability and intent to hold until maturity. At December 31, 2013, such debt securities totaled $62 million and are included in other long-term assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. Devon redeemed all these securities in the first quarter of 2014.

 

Property and Equipment

 

Devon follows the full cost method of accounting for its oil and gas properties. Accordingly, all costs incidental to the acquisition, exploration and development of oil and gas properties, including costs of undeveloped leasehold, dry holes and leasehold equipment, are capitalized. Internal costs incurred that are directly identified with acquisition, exploration and development activities undertaken by Devon for its own account, and that are not related to production, general corporate overhead or similar activities, are also capitalized. Interest costs incurred and attributable to unproved oil and gas properties under current evaluation and major development projects of oil and gas properties are also capitalized. All costs related to production activities, including workover costs incurred solely to maintain or increase levels of production from an existing completion interval, are charged to expense as incurred.

 

Capitalized costs are depleted by an equivalent unit-of-production method, converting gas to oil at the ratio of six thousand cubic feet of gas to one barrel of oil. Depletion is calculated using the capitalized costs, including estimated asset retirement costs, plus the estimated future expenditures (based on current costs) to be incurred in developing proved reserves, net of estimated salvage values.

 

Costs associated with unproved properties are excluded from the depletion calculation until it is determined whether or not proved reserves can be assigned to such properties. Devon assesses its unproved properties for impairment quarterly. Significant unproved properties are assessed individually. Costs of insignificant unproved properties are transferred into the depletion calculation over holding periods ranging from three to four years.

 

No gain or loss is recognized upon disposal of oil and gas properties unless such disposal significantly alters the relationship between capitalized costs and proved reserves in a particular country.

 

Under the full cost method of accounting, capitalized costs of oil and gas properties, net of accumulated DD&A and deferred income taxes, may not exceed the full cost “ceiling” at the end of each quarter. The ceiling is calculated separately for each country and is based on the present value of estimated future net cash flows from proved oil and gas reserves, discounted at 10 percent per annum, net of related tax effects. The estimated future net revenues exclude future cash outflows associated with settling asset retirement obligations included in the net book value of oil and gas properties.

 

Estimated future net cash flows are calculated using end-of-period costs and an unweighted arithmetic average of commodity prices in effect on the first day of each of the previous 12 months. Prices are held constant indefinitely and are not changed except where different prices are fixed and determinable from applicable contracts for the remaining term of those contracts, including derivative contracts in place that qualify for hedge accounting treatment. None of Devon's derivative contracts held during the three-year period ended December 31, 2014 qualified for hedge accounting treatment.

 

Any excess of the net book value, less related deferred taxes, over the ceiling is written off as an expense. An expense recorded in one period may not be reversed in a subsequent period even though higher commodity prices may have increased the ceiling applicable to the subsequent period.

 

Costs for midstream assets that are in use are depreciated over the assets’ estimated useful lives, using either the unit-of-production or straight-line method. Depreciation and amortization of other property and equipment, including corporate and leasehold improvements, are provided using the straight-line method based on estimated useful lives ranging from three to 60 years. Interest costs incurred and attributable to major midstream and corporate construction projects are also capitalized.

 

Devon recognizes liabilities for retirement obligations associated with tangible long-lived assets, such as producing well sites and midstream pipelines and processing plants when there is a legal obligation associated with the retirement of such assets and the amount can be reasonably estimated. The initial measurement of an asset retirement obligation is recorded as a liability at its fair value, with an offsetting asset retirement cost recorded as an increase to the associated property and equipment on the consolidated balance sheet. When the assumptions used to estimate a recorded asset retirement obligation change, a revision is recorded to both the asset retirement obligation and the asset retirement cost. Devon’s asset retirement obligations include estimated environmental remediation costs which arise from normal operations and are associated with the retirement of such long-lived assets. The asset retirement cost is depreciated using a systematic and rational method similar to that used for the associated property and equipment.

 

Goodwill 

 

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of business combinations over the fair value of the net assets acquired and is tested for impairment annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances dictate that the carrying value of goodwill may not be recoverable. Such test includes an assessment of qualitative and quantitative factors. The impairment test requires allocating goodwill and all other assets and liabilities to assigned reporting units. The fair value of each reporting unit is estimated and compared to the net book value of the reporting unit. If the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is less than the net book value, including goodwill, then the goodwill is written down to the implied fair value of the goodwill through a charge to expense. Because quoted market prices are not available for Devon's reporting units, the fair values of the reporting units are estimated based upon several valuation analyses, including comparable companies, comparable transactions and premiums paid.

 

Devon performed annual impairment tests of goodwill in the fourth quarters of 2014, 2013 and 2012. No impairment of goodwill was required in 2012 and 2013. However, based on the 2014 assessment, Devon’s Canadian reporting unit goodwill was deemed impaired. See Note 12 for further discussion.

 

 

Intangible Assets

 

Unamortized capitalized intangible assets, consisting of EnLink customer relationships, are presented in other long-term assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. These assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the expected periods of benefits, which range from 10-20 years.

 

Commitments and Contingencies

 

Liabilities for loss contingencies arising from claims, assessments, litigation or other sources are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Liabilities for environmental remediation or restoration claims resulting from improper operation of assets are recorded when it is probable that obligations have been incurred and the amounts can be reasonably estimated. Expenditures related to such environmental matters are expensed or capitalized in accordance with Devon's accounting policy for property and equipment.

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

Certain of Devon's assets and liabilities are measured at fair value at each reporting date. Fair value represents the price that would be received to sell the asset or paid to transfer the liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. This price is commonly referred to as the “exit price.” Fair value measurements are classified according to a hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs underlying the valuation techniques. This hierarchy consists of three broad levels:

 

·

Level 1 – Inputs consist of unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities and have the highest priority. When available, Devon measures fair value using Level 1 inputs because they generally provide the most reliable evidence of fair value.

·

Level 2 – Inputs consist of quoted prices that are generally observable for the asset or liability. Common examples of Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in markets not considered to be active.

·

Level 3 – Inputs are not observable from objective sources and have the lowest priority. The most common Level 3 fair value measurement is an internally developed cash flow model.

 

Discontinued Operations

 

All amounts related to Devon's International operations that were sold in 2012 are classified as discontinued operations.

 

Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments

The United States dollar is the functional currency for Devon's consolidated operations except its Canadian subsidiaries, which use the Canadian dollar as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities of the Canadian subsidiaries are translated to United States dollars using the applicable exchange rate as of the end of a reporting period. Revenues, expenses and cash flow are translated using an average exchange rate during the reporting period. Translation adjustments have no effect on net income and are included in accumulated other comprehensive earnings in stockholders' equity.

 

 

Noncontrolling Interests

 

Noncontrolling interests represent third-party ownership in the net assets of Devon’s consolidated subsidiaries and are presented as a component of equity. Changes in Devon’s ownership interests in subsidiaries that do not result in deconsolidation are recognized in equity.

 

 

Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

 

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The update provides guidance concerning the recognition and measurement of revenue from contracts with customers. Its objective is to increase the usefulness of information in the financial statements regarding the nature, timing and uncertainty of revenues. The update is effective for Devon beginning on January 1, 2017. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. Devon has not yet selected a transition method and is evaluating the impact this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.