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Commitments and Contingencies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] |
Commitments and Contingencies | Commitments and Contingencies Securities and related litigation In June 2002, a class action lawsuit was commenced against us in federal court alleging violations of the federal securities laws in connection with our change in accounting for revenue on long-term construction projects and related disclosures. In the weeks that followed, approximately twenty similar class actions were filed against us. The class action cases were later consolidated, and the amended consolidated class action complaint was filed and served upon us in April 2003. In June 2003, the plaintiffs filed a second amended consolidated complaint that included claims arising out of our 1998 acquisition of Dresser Industries, Inc. and our disclosures and reserves relating to our asbestos liability exposure. In December 2016, we reached an agreement in principle to settle this lawsuit, without any admission of liability and subject to approval by the district court. During the second quarter of 2017, we paid approximately $54 million of the $100 million settlement fund, and our insurer paid the balance. On July 31, 2017, the district court issued final approval of the settlement. The settlement resolves all pending cases other than Magruder v. Halliburton Co., et. al. (the Magruder case). The allegations arise out of the same general events described above, but for a later class period, December 8, 2001 to May 28, 2002. There has been limited activity in the Magruder case. In March 2009, our motion to dismiss was granted, with leave to re-plead. In March 2012, plaintiffs filed an amended complaint and in May 2012, we filed another motion to dismiss, which remains pending. We cannot predict the outcome or consequences of this case, which we intend to vigorously defend. Environmental We are subject to numerous environmental, legal and regulatory requirements related to our operations worldwide. In the United States, these laws and regulations include, among others:
- | the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act;
- | the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act;
- | the Clean Air Act;
- | the Federal Water Pollution Control Act;
- | the Toxic Substances Control Act; and
- | the Oil Pollution Act.
In addition to the federal laws and regulations, states and other countries where we do business often have numerous environmental, legal and regulatory requirements by which we must abide. We evaluate and address the environmental impact of our operations by assessing and remediating contaminated properties in order to avoid future liabilities and comply with environmental, legal and regulatory requirements. Our Health, Safety and Environment group has several programs in place to maintain environmental leadership and to help prevent the occurrence of environmental contamination. On occasion we are involved in environmental litigation and claims, including the remediation of properties we own or have operated, as well as efforts to meet or correct compliance-related matters. We do not expect costs related to those claims and remediation requirements to have a material adverse effect on our liquidity, consolidated results of operations, or consolidated financial position. Our accrued liabilities for environmental matters were $48 million as of December 31, 2017 and $50 million as of December 31, 2016. Because our estimated liability is typically within a range and our accrued liability may be the amount on the low end of that range, our actual liability could eventually be well in excess of the amount accrued. Our total liability related to environmental matters covers numerous properties. Additionally, we have subsidiaries that have been named as potentially responsible parties along with other third parties for eight federal and state Superfund sites for which we have established reserves. As of December 31, 2017, those eight sites accounted for approximately $5 million of our $48 million total environmental reserve. Despite attempts to resolve these Superfund matters, the relevant regulatory agency may at any time bring suit against us for amounts in excess of the amount accrued. With respect to some Superfund sites, we have been named a potentially responsible party by a regulatory agency; however, in each of those cases, we do not believe we have any material liability. We also could be subject to third-party claims with respect to environmental matters for which we have been named as a potentially responsible party. Guarantee arrangements In the normal course of business, we have agreements with financial institutions under which approximately $1.8 billion of letters of credit, bank guarantees, or surety bonds were outstanding as of December 31, 2017. Some of the outstanding letters of credit have triggering events that would entitle a bank to require cash collateralization. None of these off balance sheet arrangements either has, or is likely to have, a material effect on our consolidated financial statements. Leases We are party to numerous operating leases, primarily related to real estate, transportation and equipment. Total rentals on our operating leases, net of sublease rentals, were $574 million in 2017, $587 million in 2016 and $875 million in 2015. Future total rentals on our noncancellable operating leases are $720 million in the aggregate, which includes the following: $166 million in 2018; $135 million in 2019; $100 million in 2020; $71 million in 2021; $54 million in 2022; and $194 million thereafter.

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