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Commitments And Contingencies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2020
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] |
Commitments And Contingencies |
20. | Commitments and Contingencies
Devon is party to various legal actions arising in connection with its 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 likely 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 oil and natural gas producers and related parties, including Devon, have been named in various lawsuits alleging royalty underpayments. Devon is currently named as a defendant in a number of such lawsuits, including some lawsuits in which the plaintiffs seek to certify classes of similarly situated plaintiffs. Among the allegations typically asserted in these suits are claims that Devon 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 oil, natural gas and NGLs produced and sold. Devon is also involved in governmental agency proceedings and royalty audits and is subject to related contracts and regulatory controls in the ordinary course of business, some that may lead to additional royalty claims. As of December 31, 2020, Devon has accrued approximately $40 million in other current liabilities pertaining to such royalty matters. Environmental and Other Matters Devon is subject to certain laws and regulations relating to environmental remediation activities associated with past operations, such as the federal 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. Beginning in 2013, various parishes in Louisiana filed suit against numerous oil and gas companies, including Devon, alleging that the companies’ operations and activities in certain fields violated the State and Local Coastal Resource Management Act of 1978, as amended, and caused substantial environmental contamination, subsidence and other environmental damages to land and water bodies located in the coastal zone of Louisiana. The plaintiffs’ claims against Devon relate primarily to the operations of several of Devon’s corporate predecessors. The plaintiffs seek, among other things, payment of the costs necessary to clear, re-vegetate and otherwise restore the allegedly impacted areas. Although Devon cannot predict the ultimate outcome of these matters, Devon believes these claims to be baseless and intends to vigorously defend against the proceedings. Various states, municipalities and other governmental and private parties have filed legal proceedings against numerous oil and gas companies, including Devon, seeking relief to abate alleged impacts of climate change. These proceedings include far-reaching claims for monetary damages and injunctions to address the alleged impacts of climate change. Although Devon cannot predict the ultimate outcome of these matters, Devon believes these claims to be baseless and intends to vigorously defend against the proceedings. In November 2020, the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, ordered several oil and gas operators, including Devon, to perform decommissioning and reclamation activities related to two California offshore oil and gas production platforms and related facilities. The current operator and owner of the platforms contends that it does not have the financial ability to perform these obligations and relinquished the related federal lease in October 2020. In response to the apparent insolvency of the current operator, the government has ordered the former operators and alleged former lease record title owners to decommission the platforms. The government contends that an alleged corporate predecessor of Devon owned a partial interest in the subject lease and platforms. Although Devon cannot predict the ultimate outcome of this matter, Devon denies any obligation to decommission the subject platforms, has appealed the order, and believes any decommissioning obligation related to the subject platforms should be assumed by others. Commitments The following table presents Devon’s commitments that have initial or remaining noncancelable terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2020.
Year Ending December 31, |  | Drilling and Facility Obligations |  |  | Operational Agreements |  |  | Office and Equipment Leases |
2021 |  | $ | 84 |  |  | $ | 241 |  |  | $ | 54 |
2022 |  |  | 38 |  |  |  | 251 |  |  |  | 29 |
2023 |  |  | 36 |  |  |  | 212 |  |  |  | 28 |
2024 |  |  | 26 |  |  |  | 197 |  |  |  | 10 |
2025 |  |  | 7 |  |  |  | 162 |  |  |  | 9 |
Thereafter |  |  | — |  |  |  | 483 |  |  |  | 289 |
Total |  | $ | 191 |  |  | $ | 1,546 |  |  | $ | 419 |
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 financing and operating lease arrangements.

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