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Contingencies and Commitments
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
Contingencies and Commitments  
Contingencies and Commitments

 

14.Contingencies and Commitments

 

The company and certain of its subsidiaries are subject to litigation, claims and other commitments and contingencies arising in the ordinary course of business. Although the asserted value of these matters may be significant, the company currently does not expect that the ultimate resolution of any open matters will have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position or results of operations.

 

Fluor Australia Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company (“Fluor Australia”), completed a cost reimbursable engineering, procurement and construction management services project for Santos Ltd. (“Santos”) involving a large network of natural gas gathering and processing facilities in Queensland, Australia. On December 13, 2016, Santos filed an action in Queensland Supreme Court against Fluor Australia, asserting various causes of action and seeking damages of approximately AUD $1.47 billion. Santos has joined Fluor Corporation to the matter on the basis of a parent company guarantee issued for the project.  The company believes that the claims asserted by Santos are without merit and is vigorously defending these claims. Based upon the present status of this matter, the company does not believe it is probable that a loss will be incurred. Accordingly, the company has not recorded a charge as a result of this action.

 

Other Matters

 

The company has made claims arising from the performance under its contracts. The company recognizes revenue, but not profit, for certain claims (including change orders in dispute and unapproved change orders in regard to both scope and price) when it is determined that recovery of incurred costs is probable and the amounts can be reliably estimated. Under claims accounting (ASC 605-35-25), these requirements are satisfied when (a) the contract or other evidence provides a legal basis for the claim, (b) additional costs were caused by circumstances that were unforeseen at the contract date and not the result of deficiencies in the company’s performance, (c) claim-related costs are identifiable and considered reasonable in view of the work performed, and (d) evidence supporting the claim is objective and verifiable. Similarly, the company recognizes disputed back charges to suppliers or subcontractors as a reduction of cost when the same requirements have been satisfied. The company periodically evaluates its positions and amounts recognized with respect to all its claims and back charges. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the company had recorded $124 million and $61 million, respectively, of claim revenue for costs incurred to date and such costs are included in contract work in progress. Additional costs, which will increase the claim revenue balance over time, are expected to be incurred in future periods. The company had also recorded disputed back charges totaling $18 million and $41 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The company believes the ultimate recovery of amounts related to these claims and back charges is probable in accordance with ASC 605-35-25.

 

From time to time, the company enters into significant contracts with the U.S. government and its agencies. Government contracts are subject to audits and investigations by government representatives with respect to the company’s compliance with various restrictions and regulations applicable to government contractors, including but not limited to the allowability of costs incurred under reimbursable contracts. In connection with performing government contracts, the company maintains reserves for estimated exposures associated with these matters.

 

The company’s operations are subject to and affected by federal, state and local laws and regulations regarding the protection of the environment. The company maintains reserves for potential future environmental cost where such obligations are either known or considered probable, and can be reasonably estimated. The company believes, based upon present information available to it, that its reserves with respect to future environmental cost are adequate and such future cost will not have a material effect on the company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity.