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Description Of Company And Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Principles of Consolidation

Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("U.S. GAAP") and include the accounts of KBR and our wholly owned and majority-owned, controlled subsidiaries and variable interest entities ("VIEs") of which we are the primary beneficiary. We account for investments over which we have significant influence but not a controlling financial interest using the equity method of accounting. See Note 10 to our consolidated financial statements for further discussion on our equity investments and VIEs. The cost method is used when we do not have the ability to exert significant influence. All material intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation on the consolidated statements of operations, consolidated balance sheets and the consolidated statements of cash flows.

We have evaluated all events and transactions occurring after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements were issued and have included the appropriate disclosures.

Use of estimates

Use of Estimates

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Areas requiring significant estimates and assumptions by our management include the following:


•	project revenues, costs and profits on engineering and construction contracts and government services contracts, including recognition of estimated losses on uncompleted contracts


•	provisions for uncollectible receivables and client claims and recoveries of costs from subcontractors, vendors and others


•	provisions for income taxes and related valuation allowances and tax uncertainties


•	recoverability of goodwill


•	recoverability of other intangibles and long-lived assets and related estimated lives


•	recoverability of equity method and cost method investments


•	valuation of pension obligations and pension assets


•	accruals for estimated liabilities, including litigation accruals


•	consolidation of VIEs


•	valuation of share-based compensation

In accordance with normal practice in the construction industry, we include in current assets and current liabilities amounts related to construction contracts realizable and payable over a period in excess of one year. If the underlying estimates and assumptions upon which the financial statements are based change in the future, actual amounts may differ from those included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Adoption of New Accounting Standards

Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes. In November 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2015-17, Income Taxes (Topic 740) - Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes. The amendments in the ASU, which apply to all entities that present a classified balance sheet, eliminate the current requirement to present deferred tax liabilities and assets as current and noncurrent. Instead, entities will be required to classify all deferred tax assets and liabilities as noncurrent. The amendments are effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Earlier application is permitted for entities as of the beginning of an interim or annual period. Effective December 31, 2015, we retrospectively adopted ASU 2015-17 and, as a result, reclassified current deferred tax assets of $90 million and current deferred tax liabilities of $46 million as non-current on our consolidated balance sheet for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Fair Value Measurements. In May 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-07, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) - Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent). The amendments in this ASU remove the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments for which fair value is measured using net asset value per share practical expedient. The amendments are effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those annual periods. Earlier application is permitted for entities as of the beginning of an interim or annual period. A reporting entity should apply the amendments retrospectively to all periods presented. On December 31, 2015, we adopted ASU 2015-07 as presented in our Fair Value Measurement tables in Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements.

Discontinued Operations. In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant and Equipment (Topic 360). The amendments in this ASU added criteria providing that only those disposals of a component of an entity or a group of components of an entity that represent a strategic shift in operations should be presented as discontinued operations. The update allows an entity to present a disposal as discontinued operations even when it has continuing cash flows and significant continuing involvement with the disposed component. The update also requires expanded disclosures for discontinued operations and individually significant components of an entity that does not qualify for discontinued operations reporting. On January 1, 2015, we adopted ASU 2014-08. The adoption of this update did not impact our consolidated financial statements.

Service Concession Arrangements. In January 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-05, Service Concession Arrangements. A service concession arrangement is an arrangement between a public-sector entity and an operating entity under which the operating entity operates the grantor's infrastructure. The amendments in this ASU specify that an operating entity should not account for a service concession arrangement within the scope of this ASU as a lease in accordance with ASC 840 - Leases and that the infrastructure used in a service concession agreement should not be recognized as property, plant and equipment of the operating entity. The amendments in this ASU are effective using a modified retrospective approach for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014 and interim periods within those annual periods. The adoption of ASU 2014-05 on January 1, 2015 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Engineering and construction contracts

Revenue Recognition

Engineering and Construction Contracts

Contracts. Our revenue is primarily derived from long-term contracts. Revenues from contracts to provide construction, engineering, design or similar services is reported on the percentage-of-completion method of accounting in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 605 - Revenue Recognition. Depending on the type of job, progress is generally measured based upon man-hours expended to total man-hours estimated at completion, costs incurred to total estimated costs at completion, or physical progress. All known or anticipated losses on contracts are provided for in the period they become evident. Certain claims and change orders that are in the process of negotiation with customers for additional work or changes in the scope of work are included in contract value when collection is deemed probable and the value can be reliably estimated.

Our work is performed under three general types of contracts: fixed-price contracts, cost-reimbursable plus a fee or mark-up contracts and "hybrid" contracts containing both cost-reimbursable and fixed-price scopes. All contract types may be modified by cost escalation provisions or other risk sharing mechanisms and incentive and penalty provisions. During the term of a project, the contract or components of the contract may be renegotiated to include characteristics of a different contract type. When we negotiate any type of contract, we frequently are required to accomplish the scope of work and meet certain performance criteria within a specified time frame; otherwise, we could be assessed damages, which in some cases are agreed-upon liquidated damages. We include an estimate of liquidated damages in our estimates of total contract value when it is deemed probable that they will be assessed. Profit is recorded based upon the product of estimated contract profit-at-completion times the current percentage-complete for the contract.

Fixed-price contracts, which include unit-rate contracts (essentially a fixed-price contract with the only variable being units of work performed), are for a fixed sum to cover all costs and any profit element for a defined scope of work. Fixed-price contracts entail significant risk to us because they require us to predetermine the work to be performed, the project execution schedule and the costs associated with the work. As a result, we may benefit or be penalized for cost variations from our original estimates. However, these contract prices may be adjusted for changes in scope of work, new or changing laws and regulations and other negotiated events.

Cost-reimbursable contracts include contracts where the price is variable based upon our actual costs incurred for time and materials and for reimbursable labor hour contracts. Profit on cost-reimbursable contracts may be a fixed amount, a mark-up applied to costs incurred or a combination of the two. Cost-reimbursable contracts are generally less risky than fixed-price contracts because the owner/customer retains many of the project risks. Our cost-reimbursable contracts include the following:

•

Cost-plus and Time and Material contracts - These are contracts under which we are reimbursed for allowable or otherwise defined costs incurred plus a fee or mark-up. The contracts may also include incentives for various performance criteria, including quality, timeliness, ingenuity, safety and cost-effectiveness. In addition, our costs are generally subject to review by our clients and regulatory audit agencies, and such reviews could result in costs being disputed as non-reimbursable under the terms of the contract.

•

Target-price contracts - These are contracts under which we are reimbursed for costs plus a fee consisting of two parts: (1) a fixed amount, which does not vary with performance, but may be at risk when a target price is exceeded; and (2) an award amount based on the performance and cost-effectiveness of the project. As a result, we are generally able to recover cost overruns on these contracts from actual damages for late delivery or the failure to meet certain performance criteria. Target-price contracts also generally provide for sharing of costs in excess of or savings for costs less than the target. In some contracts, we may agree to share cost overruns in excess of our fee, which could result in a loss on the project.

Unapproved Change Orders and Claims. Revenues and gross profit on contracts can be significantly affected by change orders and claims that may not be approved by the customer until the later stages of a contract or subsequent to the date a project is completed. If it is not probable that the costs will be recovered through a change in contract price, the costs attributable to change orders are treated as contract costs without incremental revenue. For certain contracts where it is probable that the costs will be recovered through a change order, total estimated contract revenue is increased by the lesser of the amounts management expects to recover or the costs expected to be incurred.

When estimating the amount of total gross profit or loss on a contract, we include unapproved change orders or claims to our clients as adjustments to revenues. We include claims to vendors, subcontractors and others as adjustments to total estimated costs. Claims against others are recorded up to the extent of the lesser of the amounts management expects to recover or to costs incurred and include no profit until such time as they are finalized and approved. See Note 5 to our consolidated financial statements for our discussion on unapproved change orders and claims.

Revenue Recognition, Sales of Services [Policy Text Block]

Services Contracts

Revenues for our services contracts is recorded as the services are rendered and the amounts are deemed realized or realizable and earned. Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of a customer arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the price to the customer is fixed and determinable, and collection of revenue is reasonably assured. Revenue associated with incentive fees for these contracts is recognized when earned.

Government contract

Government Contracts

Some of the services provided to the United States ("U.S.") government are performed on cost-reimbursable contracts. Generally, these contracts may contain base fees (a fixed profit percentage applied to our estimates of costs to complete the work).

Revenues are recognized at the time services are performed, and such revenues include base fees, actual direct project costs incurred and an allocation of indirect costs. Indirect costs are applied using rates approved by our government customers. The general, administrative and overhead cost reimbursement rates are estimated periodically in accordance with government contract accounting regulations and may change based on actual costs incurred or based upon the volume of work performed. Revenues are reduced for our estimate of costs that either are in dispute with our customer or have been identified as potentially unallowable pursuant to the terms of the contract or the federal acquisition regulations.

Gross Profit [Policy Text Block]

Gross Profit

Gross profit represents business segment revenues less the cost of revenues, which includes business segment overhead costs directly attributable to the business segment.

Cost Estimates [Policy Text Block]

Cost Estimates

Contract costs include all direct material and labor costs and those indirect costs related to contract performance. Indirect costs, included in cost of revenues, include charges for such items as facilities, engineering, project management, quality control, bids and proposals and procurement.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses, Policy [Policy Text Block]

General and Administrative Expenses

Our general and administrative expenses represent corporate overhead expenses that are not associated with the execution of the contracts. General and administrative expenses include charges for such items as executive management, corporate business development, information technology, finance and corporate accounting, human resources and various other corporate functions.

Cash and equivalents

Cash and Equivalents

We consider highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. See Note 3 to our consolidated financial statements for our discussion on cash and equivalents.

Allowance for bad debts

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount based on contracted prices. Amounts collected on accounts receivable are included in net cash provided by operating activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows.

We establish an allowance for doubtful accounts based on the assessment of the clients’ willingness and ability to pay. In addition to such allowances, there are often items in dispute or being negotiated that may require us to make an estimate as to the ultimate outcome. Past due receivable balances are written off when our internal collection efforts have been unsuccessful in collecting the amounts due. See Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements for our discussion on accounts receivable.

Retainage, included in accounts receivable, represents amounts withheld from billings by our clients pursuant to provisions in the contracts and may not be paid to us until the completion of specific tasks or the completion of the project and, in some instances, for even longer periods. Retainage may also be subject to restrictive conditions such as performance guarantees. Our retainage receivable excludes amounts withheld by the U.S. government on certain contracts. See Note 14 to our consolidated financial statements for our discussion on U.S. government receivables.

Costs In Excess Of Billings And Billings In Excess Of Costs [Policy Text Block]

Costs and Estimated Earnings in Excess of Billings on Uncompleted Contracts, Including Claims, and Advanced Billings and Billings in Excess of Costs and Estimated Earnings on Uncompleted Contracts

Billing practices are governed by the contract terms of each project based upon costs incurred, achievement of milestones or pre-agreed schedules. Billings do not necessarily correlate with revenue recognized using the percentage-of-completion method of accounting. Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts ("CIE") represent the excess of contract costs and profits recognized to date using the percentage-of-completion method over billings to date on certain contracts. Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts ("BIE") represents the excess of billings to date over the amount of contract costs and profits recognized to date using the percentage-of-completion method on certain contracts. With the exception of claims and change orders that we are in the process of negotiating with customers, unbilled receivables are usually billed during normal billing processes following achievement of the contractual requirements. See Note 5 to our consolidated financial statements for our discussion on CIE and BIE.

Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are reported at cost less accumulated depreciation except for those assets that have been written down to their fair values due to impairment. Expenditures for major additions and improvements are capitalized and minor replacements, maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. The cost of property, plant and equipment sold or otherwise disposed of and the related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is included in operating income for the respective period. Depreciation is generally provided on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the useful life of the improvement or the lease term. See Note 7 to our consolidated financial statements for our discussion on property, plant and equipment.

Goodwill and other intangibles

Goodwill

Goodwill is an asset representing the excess cost over the fair market value of net assets acquired in business combinations. In accordance with ASC 350 - Intangibles - Goodwill and Other, we test goodwill for impairment on an annual basis and more frequently when negative conditions or other triggering events arise. We test goodwill for impairment annually as of October 1 and conduct our goodwill impairment testing at the reporting unit level. For purposes of the goodwill impairment test, our reporting units are operating segments or components of operating segments where discrete financial information is available and segment management regularly reviews the operating results.

Our October 1, 2015 annual impairment test for goodwill was a quantitative analysis using the two-step process that involves comparing the estimated fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, the goodwill of the reporting unit is not considered impaired; therefore, the second step of the impairment test is unnecessary. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, we perform the second step of the goodwill impairment test to measure the amount of goodwill impairment loss to be recorded, as necessary. The second step compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit's goodwill to the carrying value, if any, of that goodwill. We determine the implied fair value of the goodwill in the same manner as determining the amount of goodwill to be recognized in a business combination.

In instances where we reorganize our reporting units, we perform an additional impairment test immediately before and after the change in reporting units, utilizing the same methodology as our October 1st test and record impairment if any.

The fair values of reporting units were determined using a combination of two methods, one utilizing market earnings multiples (the market approach) and the other derived from discounted cash flow models with estimated cash flows based on internal forecasts of revenues and expenses over a specified period plus a terminal value (the income approach). See Note 8 for our discussion on our annual impairment test.

Impairment of long-lived assets

Intangible Assets

Our intangible assets are related to various licenses, trade names, patents, technology and related processes. Except for an $11 million indefinite lived trade name, which we do not amortize, the costs of our intangible assets are generally amortized over their estimated useful lives up to 25 years. The method of amortization reflects the expected realization pattern of the economic benefits relevant to the intangible assets, or if we are unable to determine the expected realization pattern reliably, they are amortized using the straight-line method. We also have intangible assets related to trade names, client relationships and non-compete agreements which are associated with acquisitions we have completed and are generally amortized over a three- to ten-year period on a straight-line basis. We assess the recoverability of the unamortized balance of our intangible assets when indicators of impairment are present based on expected future profitability and undiscounted expected cash flows and their contribution to our overall operations. Should the review indicate that the carrying value is not fully recoverable, the excess of the carrying value over the fair value of the intangible assets would be recognized as an impairment loss. See Note 8 to our consolidated financial statements for our discussion on intangible assets

Investment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Investments

We account for non-marketable investments using the equity method of accounting if the investment gives us the ability to exercise significant influence over, but not control of, an investee. Significant influence generally exists if we have an ownership interest representing between 20% and 50% of the voting stock of the investee. Under the equity method of accounting, investments are stated at initial cost and are adjusted for subsequent additional investments and our proportionate share of earnings or losses and distributions.

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, in the consolidated statements of operations, reflects our proportionate share of the investee's net income, including any associated affiliate taxes. Our proportionate share of the investee’s other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes, is recorded in the consolidated statements of shareholders’ equity and consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss). In general, the equity investment in our unconsolidated affiliates is equal to our current equity investment plus those entities' undistributed earnings.

We evaluate our equity method investments for impairment at least annually and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate, in management’s judgment, that the carrying value of an investment may have experienced an other-than-temporary decline in value. When evidence of loss in value has occurred, management compares the estimated fair value of the investment to the carrying value of the investment to determine whether an impairment has occurred. If the estimated fair value is less than the carrying value and management considers the decline in value to be other than temporary, the excess of the carrying value over the estimated fair value is recognized in the financial statements as an impairment. See Note 10 to our consolidated financial statements for our discussion on equity method investments.

Where we are unable to exercise significant influence over the investee, or when our investment balance is reduced to zero from our proportionate share of losses, the investments are accounted for under the cost method. Under the cost method, investments are carried at cost and adjusted only for other-than-temporary declines in fair value, distributions of earnings, or additional investments.

Variable interest entities

Variable Interest Entities

The majority of our joint ventures are VIEs. We account for VIEs in accordance with ASC 810 - Consolidation which requires the consolidation of VIEs in which a company has both the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive the benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. If a reporting enterprise meets these conditions then it has a controlling financial interest and is the primary beneficiary of the VIE. Our unconsolidated VIEs are accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

We assess all newly created entities and those with which we become involved to determine whether such entities are VIEs and, if so, whether or not we are their primary beneficiary. Most of the entities we assess are incorporated or unincorporated joint ventures formed by us and our partner(s) for the purpose of executing a project or program for a customer and are generally dissolved upon completion of the project or program. Many of our long-term energy-related construction projects in our E&C business segment are executed through such joint ventures. Typically, these joint ventures are funded by advances from the project owner, and accordingly, require little or no equity investment by the joint venture partners but may require subordinated financial support from the joint venture partners such as letters of credit, performance and financial guarantees or obligations to fund losses incurred by the joint venture. Other joint ventures, such as privately financed initiatives in our GS business segment, generally require the partners to invest equity and take an ownership position in an entity that manages and operates an asset after construction is complete.

As required by ASC 810 - Consolidation, we perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether we are the primary beneficiary once an entity is identified as a VIE. Thereafter, we continue to re-evaluate whether we are the primary beneficiary of the VIE in accordance with ASC 810 - Consolidation. A qualitative assessment begins with an understanding of the nature of the risks in the entity as well as the nature of the entity’s activities. These include the terms of the contracts entered into by the entity, ownership interests issued by the entity and how they were marketed and the parties involved in the design of the entity. We then identify all of the variable interests held by parties involved with the VIE including, among other things, equity investments, subordinated debt financing, letters of credit, financial and performance guarantees and contracted service providers. Once we identify the variable interests, we determine those activities which are most significant to the economic performance of the entity and which variable interest holder has the power to direct those activities. Though infrequent, some of our assessments reveal no primary beneficiary because the power to direct the most significant activities that impact the economic performance is held equally by two or more variable interest holders who are required to provide their consent prior to the execution of their decisions. Most of the VIEs with which we are involved have relatively few variable interests and are primarily related to our equity investment, significant service contracts and other subordinated financial support. See Note 10 to our consolidated financial statements for our discussion on variable interest entities.

Gain on Deconsolidation of Subsidiary

Deconsolidation of a Subsidiary

We account for a gain or loss on deconsolidation of a subsidiary or derecognition of a group of assets in accordance with the guidance in ASC 810-10-40-5. We measure the gain or loss as the difference between (a) the aggregate of all the following: (1) the fair value of any consideration received (2) the fair value of any retained noncontrolling investment in the former subsidiary or group of assets at the date the subsidiary is deconsolidated or the group of assets is derecognized and (3) the carrying amount of any noncontrolling interest in the former subsidiary (including any accumulated other comprehensive income attributable to the noncontrolling interest) at the date the subsidiary is deconsolidated and (b) the carrying amount of the former subsidiary’s assets and liabilities or the carrying amount of the group of assets.

Pensions

We account for our defined benefit pension plans in accordance with ASC 715 - Compensation - Retirement Benefits, which requires an employer to:


•	recognize on its balance sheet the funded status (measured as the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the benefit obligation) of the pension plan;


•	recognize, through comprehensive income, certain changes in the funded status of a defined benefit plan in the year in which the changes occur;


•	measure plan assets and benefit obligations as of the end of the employer’s fiscal year; and


•	disclose additional information.

Our pension benefit obligations and expenses are calculated using actuarial models and methods. Two of the more critical assumptions and estimates used in the actuarial calculations are the discount rate for determining the current value of benefit obligations and the expected rate of return on plan assets. Other assumptions and estimates used in determining benefit obligations and plan expenses include inflation rates and demographic factors such as retirement age, mortality and turnover. These assumptions and estimates are evaluated periodically and are updated accordingly to reflect our actual experience and expectations.

The discount rate used to determine the benefit obligations was computed using a yield curve approach that matches plan specific cash flows to a spot rate yield curve based on high quality corporate bonds. The expected long-term rate of return on assets was determined by a stochastic projection that takes into account asset allocation strategies, historical long-term performance of individual asset classes, an analysis of additional return (net of fees) generated by active management, risks using standard deviations and correlations of returns among the asset classes that comprise the plans' asset mix. Plan assets are comprised primarily of equity securities, fixed income funds and securities, hedge funds, real estate and other funds. As we have both domestic and international plans, these assumptions differ based on varying factors specific to each particular country or economic environment.

Unrecognized actuarial gains and losses are generally recognized using the corridor method over a period of approximately 15 years, which represents a reasonable systematic method for amortizing gains and losses for the employee group. Our unrecognized actuarial gains and losses arise from several factors, including experience and assumption changes in the obligations and the difference between expected returns and actual returns on plan assets. The difference between actual and expected returns is deferred as an unrecognized actuarial gain or loss on our consolidated statement of comprehensive income (loss) and is recognized as a decrease or an increase in future pension expense.

Income taxes

Income Taxes

We recognize the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the year and deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the financial statements or tax returns. We provide a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that these items will not be realized. 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. See Note 13 to our consolidated financial statements for our discussion on income taxes.

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. A current tax asset or liability is recognized for the estimated taxes refundable or payable on tax returns. 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 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.

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, we consider whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. A valuation allowance is provided for deferred tax assets if it is more-likely-than-not that these items will not be realized. We consider the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and available tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Additionally, we use forecasts of certain tax elements such as taxable income and foreign tax credit utilization in making this assessment of realization. Given the inherent uncertainty involved with the use of such estimates and assumptions, there can be significant variation between estimated and actual results.

We have operations in numerous countries other than the United States. Consequently, we are subject to the jurisdiction of a significant number of taxing authorities. The income earned in these various jurisdictions is taxed on differing bases, including income actually earned, income deemed earned and revenue-based tax withholding. The final determination of our tax liabilities involves the interpretation of local tax laws, tax treaties and related authorities in each jurisdiction. Changes in the operating environment, including changes in tax law and currency/repatriation controls, could impact the determination of our tax liabilities for a tax year.

We recognize the effect of income tax positions only if it is more-likely-than-not that those positions will be sustained. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs. The company records potential interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.

Tax filings of our subsidiaries, unconsolidated affiliates and related entities are routinely examined by tax authorities in the normal course of business. These examinations may result in assessments of additional taxes, which we work to resolve with the tax authorities and through the judicial process. Predicting the outcome of disputed assessments involves some uncertainty. Factors such as the availability of settlement procedures, willingness of tax authorities to negotiate and the operation and impartiality of judicial systems vary across the different tax jurisdictions and may significantly influence the ultimate outcome. We review the facts for each assessment, and then utilize assumptions and estimates to determine the most likely outcome and provide taxes, interest and penalties as needed based on this outcome. See Note 13 for our discussion on income taxes.

Derivative instruments

Derivative Instruments

We enter into derivative financial transactions to hedge existing or forecasted exposures to changing foreign currency exchange rates. We do not enter into derivative transactions for speculative or trading purposes. We recognize all derivatives at fair value on the balance sheet. Derivatives that are not accounted for as hedges under ASC 815 - Derivatives and Hedging, are adjusted to fair value and such changes are reflected in the results of operations. If the derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge under ASC 815, changes in the fair value of derivatives are recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. The ineffective portion of a designated hedge's change in fair value is recognized in earnings. See Note 20 to our consolidated financial statements for our discussion on derivative instruments.

Recognized gains or losses on derivatives entered into to manage project related foreign exchange risk are included in gross profit. Foreign currency gains and losses for hedges of non-project related foreign exchange risk are reported within "Other non-operating income (expense)" on our consolidated statements of operations.

Concentration of credit risk

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments which potentially subject our company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, and trade receivables. Our cash is primarily held with major banks and financial institutions throughout the world. We believe the risk of any potential loss on deposits held in these institutions is minimal.

Contracts with clients usually contain standard provisions allowing the client to curtail or terminate contracts for convenience. Upon such a termination, we are generally entitled to recover costs incurred, settlement expenses and profit on work completed prior to termination and demobilization cost.

We have revenues and receivables from transactions with an external customer that amounts to 10% or more of our revenues (which are generally not collateralized). A significant percentage of revenues is generated from transactions with Chevron Corporation ("Chevron") primarily from a major liquefied natural gas ("LNG") project in Australia within our E&C business segment, which is nearing completion. No other customers represented 10% or more of consolidated revenues in any of the periods presented.

The following tables present summarized data related to our transactions with Chevron.



Revenues from major customers:
	Years ended December 31,
Dollars in millions	2015		2014		2013
Chevron revenues	$	523	$	1,069	$	1,859



Percentages of revenues and accounts receivable from major customers:
	Years ended December 31,
	2015		2014		2013
Chevron revenues percentage	10	%	17	%	26	%
Chevron receivables percentage	5	%	9	%	13	%

Noncontrolling interest

Noncontrolling interests represent the equity investments of the minority owners in our joint ventures and other subsidiary entities that we consolidate in our financial statements.

Foreign currency translation

Foreign currency

Our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar. The functional currency of our non-U.S. subsidiaries is typically the currency of the primary environment in which they operate. Where the functional currency for a non-U.S. subsidiary is not the U.S. dollar, translation of all of the assets and liabilities (including long term assets, such as goodwill) to U.S. dollars is based on exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Translation of revenues and expenses to U.S. dollars is based on the average rate during the period and shareholders’ equity accounts are translated at historical rates. Translation gains or losses, net of income tax effects, are reported in "accumulated other comprehensive loss" on our consolidated balance sheets.

Transaction gains and losses that arise from foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations on transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are recognized in income each reporting period when these transactions are either settled or remeasured. Transaction gains and losses on intra-entity foreign currency transactions and balances including advances and demand notes payable, on which settlement is not planned or anticipated in the foreseeable future, are recorded in "accumulated other comprehensive loss" on our consolidated balance sheets.

Stock-based compensation

Share-based compensation

We account for share-based payments, including grants of employee stock options, restricted stock-based awards and performance cash units, in accordance with ASC 718 - Compensation-Stock Compensation, which requires that all share-based payments (to the extent that they are compensatory) be recognized as an expense in our consolidated statements of operations based on their fair values on the award date and the estimated number of shares we ultimately expect to vest. We recognize share-based compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the service period of the award, which is no greater than 5 years. See Note 18 to our consolidated financial statements for our discussion on share-based compensation and incentive plans.

Commitments and Contingencies, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Commitments and Contingencies

We record liabilities for loss contingencies arising from claims, assessments, litigation, fines, and penalties and other sources when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the assessment can be reasonably estimated. Legal costs incurred in connection with loss contingencies are expensed as incurred.