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Commitments and Contingencies
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2014
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies
13. Commitments and Contingencies

We have received federal grand jury subpoenas and subsequent inquiries from governmental agencies requesting records related to our compliance with export trade laws and regulations. We have cooperated fully with agents from the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”), the Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”), the United States Department of Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”), and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in responding to the inquiries. We have also cooperated with an informal inquiry from the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the inquiries previously made by the aforementioned federal agencies. We have conducted our own internal review of this matter. At the conclusion of our internal review in the fourth quarter of 2009, we identified possible areas of concern and discussed these areas of concern with the relevant agencies. We are currently negotiating a potential resolution with the agencies involved related to these matters. We currently anticipate that any administrative fine or penalty agreed to as part of a resolution would be within established accruals, and would not have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations. To the extent a resolution is not negotiated, we cannot predict the timing or effect that any resulting government actions may have on our financial position or results of operations.

On February 20, 2013, the Company acquired Robbins & Myers, Inc. (“R&M”). R&M was subject to an ongoing investigation by the DOJ and the BIS regarding potential export controls violations arising from certain shipments by R&M’s Belgian subsidiary to one customer in Iran, Sudan and Syria in 2005 and 2006. R&M has cooperated with the investigation and is currently negotiating a joint settlement with the DOJ and BIS. We currently anticipate that any administrative fine or criminal penalty agreed to as part of a resolution would be within established accruals, and would not have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations. To the extent a resolution is not negotiated, we cannot predict the timing or effect that any resulting government actions may have on our financial position or results of operations.

 

In addition, we are involved in various other claims, regulatory agency audits and pending or threatened legal actions involving a variety of matters. As of March 31, 2014, the Company recorded an immaterial amount for contingent liabilities representing all contingencies believed to be probable. The Company has also assessed the potential for additional losses above the amounts accrued as well as potential losses for matters that are not probable but are reasonably possible. The total potential loss on these matters cannot be determined; however, in our opinion, any ultimate liability, to the extent not otherwise provided for and except for the specific cases referred to above, will not materially affect our financial position, cash flow or results of operations. As it relates to the specific cases referred to above we currently anticipate that any administrative fine or penalty agreed to as part of a resolution would be within established accruals, and would not have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations. To the extent a resolution is not negotiated as anticipated, we cannot predict the timing or effect that any resulting government actions may have on our financial position, cash flow or results of operations. These estimated liabilities are based on the Company’s assessment of the nature of these matters, their progress toward resolution, the advice of legal counsel and outside experts as well as management’s intention and experience.

Our business is affected both directly and indirectly by governmental laws and regulations relating to the oilfield service industry in general, as well as by environmental and safety regulations that specifically apply to our business. Although we have not incurred material costs in connection with our compliance with such laws, there can be no assurance that other developments, such as new environmental laws, regulations and enforcement policies hereunder may not result in additional, presently unquantifiable, costs or liabilities to us.