12. Commitments and Contingencies

We have received U.S. federal grand jury subpoenas and subsequent inquiries from U.S. governmental agencies requesting records related to our compliance with U.S. 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 (“RMB”) subsidiary. The alleged violations involved less than $75,000 in goods in 2005 and 2006. The settlement was negotiated by R&M before NOV’s acquisition of R&M. During the third quarter of 2014, the parties executed a Non-Prosecution Agreement (“NPA”) to memorialize the previously negotiated settlement. Accordingly, in the third quarter of 2014, R&M paid a fine of $1,033,000 to the DOJ and $600,000 to BIS, and RMB pleaded guilty to criminal violations of U.S. trade restrictions. RMB entered into a Plea Agreement and was sentenced to five years probation. Under the NPA, R&M, for two years unless otherwise changed pursuant to the NPA must implement a specified compliance program and periodically certify compliance with U.S. Trade Sanction Laws.

A gain of $102 million was recognized in the third quarter of 2013 related to a legal settlement. The gain was included in revenue of the Company’s Wellbore Technologies segment.

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 December 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.

The Company leases certain facilities and equipment under operating leases that expire at various dates through 2066. These leases generally contain renewal options and require the lessee to pay maintenance, insurance, taxes and other operating expenses in addition to the minimum annual rentals. Rental expense related to operating leases approximated $390 million, $336 million, and $281 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Future minimum lease commitments under noncancellable operating leases with initial or remaining terms of one year or more at December 31, 2014, are payable as follows (in millions):


2015	$	215
2016		151
2017		110
2018		86
2019		64
Thereafter		445

Total future lease commitments	$	1,071