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Background and Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Background and Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Background and Significant Accounting Policies

1. Background and Significant Accounting Policies

Exterran Holdings, Inc., together with its subsidiaries (“we” or “Exterran”), is a global market leader in the full service natural gas compression business and a premier provider of operations, maintenance, service and equipment for oil and natural gas production, processing and transportation applications. Our global customer base consists of companies engaged in all aspects of the oil and natural gas industry, including large integrated oil and natural gas companies, national oil and natural gas companies, independent producers and natural gas processors, gatherers and pipelines. We operate in three primary business lines: contract operations, fabrication and aftermarket services. In our contract operations business line, we own a fleet of natural gas compression equipment and crude oil and natural gas production and processing equipment that we utilize to provide operations services to our customers. In our fabrication business line, we fabricate and sell equipment similar to the equipment that we own and utilize to provide contract operations to our customers. We also fabricate the equipment utilized in our contract operations services. In addition, our fabrication business line provides engineering, procurement and fabrication services primarily related to the manufacturing of critical process equipment for refinery and petrochemical facilities, the fabrication of tank farms and the fabrication of evaporators and brine heaters for desalination plants. In our Total Solutions projects, which we offer to our customers on either a contract operations basis or a sale basis, we provide the engineering, design, project management, procurement and construction services necessary to incorporate our products into complete production, processing and compression facilities. In our aftermarket services business line, we sell parts and components and provide operations, maintenance, overhaul and reconfiguration services to customers who own compression, production, processing, gas treating and other equipment.

We were incorporated in February 2007 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Universal Compression Holdings, Inc. (“Universal”). On August 20, 2007, in accordance with their merger agreement, Universal and Hanover Compressor Company (“Hanover”) merged into our wholly-owned subsidiaries, and we became the parent entity of Universal and Hanover. Immediately following the completion of the merger, Universal merged with and into us.

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include Exterran and its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Investments in affiliated entities in which we own more than a 20% interest and do not have a controlling interest are accounted for using the equity method.

For financial reporting purposes, we consolidate the financial statements of Exterran Partners, L.P. (together with its subsidiaries, the “Partnership”) with those of our own and reflect its operations in our North America contract operations business segment. We control the Partnership through our ownership of its general partner. Public ownership of the Partnership’s net assets and earnings are presented as a component of noncontrolling interest in our consolidated financial statements. The borrowings of the Partnership are presented as part of our consolidated debt. However, we do not have any obligation for the payment of interest or repayment of borrowings incurred by the Partnership.

Use of Estimates in the Financial Statements

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, as well as the disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. Because of the inherent uncertainties in this process, actual future results could differ from those expected at the reporting date. Management believes that the estimates and assumptions used are reasonable.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

We consider all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 consists of cash that contractually is not available for immediate use. Restricted cash is presented separately from cash and cash equivalents in the balance sheet and statement of cash flows.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue from contract operations is recorded when earned, which generally occurs monthly at the time the monthly service is provided to customers in accordance with the contracts. Aftermarket services revenue is recorded as products are delivered and title is transferred or services are performed for the customer.

Fabrication revenue is recognized using the percentage-of-completion method when the applicable criteria are met. We estimate percentage-of-completion for compressor and accessory fabrication on a direct labor hour to total labor hour basis. Production and processing equipment fabrication percentage-of-completion is estimated using the direct labor hour to total labor hour and the cost to total cost basis. The duration of these projects is typically between three and 36 months. Fabrication revenue is recognized using the completed contract method when the applicable criteria of the percentage-of-completion method are not met. Fabrication revenue from a claim is recognized to the extent that costs related to the claim have been incurred, when collection is probable and can be reliably estimated.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and notes receivable. We believe that the credit risk in temporary cash investments is limited because our cash is held in accounts with multiple financial institutions. Trade accounts and notes receivable are due from companies of varying size engaged principally in oil and natural gas activities throughout the world. We review the financial condition of customers prior to extending credit and generally do not obtain collateral for trade receivables. Payment terms are on a short-term basis and in accordance with industry practice. We consider this credit risk to be limited due to these companies’ financial resources, the nature of products and the services we provide them and the terms of our contract operations service contracts.

We maintain allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments. The determination of the collectibility of amounts due from our customers requires us to use estimates and make judgments regarding future events and trends, including monitoring our customers’ payment history and current credit worthiness to determine that collectibility is reasonably assured, as well as consideration of the overall business climate in which our customers operate. Inherently, these uncertainties require us to make judgments and estimates regarding our customers’ ability to pay the amounts they owe in order to determine the appropriate amount of valuation allowances required for doubtful accounts. We review the adequacy of our allowance for doubtful accounts quarterly. We determine the allowance needed based on historical write-off experience and by evaluating significant balances aged greater than 90 days individually for collectibility. Account balances are charged off against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote. During 2011, 2010 and 2009, our bad debt expense was $1.6 million, $4.8 million and $5.9 million, respectively.

Inventory

Inventory consists of parts used for fabrication or maintenance of natural gas compression equipment and facilities, processing and production equipment and also includes compression units and production equipment that are held for sale. Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or market using the average-cost method. A reserve is recorded against inventory balances for estimated obsolescence based on specific identification and historical experience.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost and are depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives as follows:


Compression equipment, facilities and other fleet assets			3 to 30 years
Buildings			20 to 35 years
Transportation, shop equipment and other			3 to 12 years

Major improvements that extend the useful life of an asset are capitalized. Repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. When property, plant and equipment is sold, retired or otherwise disposed of, the gain or loss is recorded in other (income) expense, net. Interest is capitalized during the construction period on equipment and facilities that are constructed for use in our operations. The capitalized interest is included as part of the cost of the asset to which it relates and is amortized over the asset’s estimated useful life.

Computer software

Certain costs related to the development or purchase of internal-use software are capitalized and amortized over the estimated useful life of the software, which ranges from three to five years. Costs related to the preliminary project stage, data conversion and the post-implementation/operation stage of an internal-use computer software development project are expensed as incurred.

Long-Lived Assets

We review for impairment of long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment and identifiable intangibles that are being amortized whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. An impairment loss exists when estimated undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition are less than its carrying amount. The impairment loss recognized represents the excess of the asset’s carrying value as compared to its estimated fair value. Identifiable intangibles are amortized over the assets’ estimated useful lives.

We hold investments in companies with operations in areas that relate to our business. We record an investment impairment charge when we believe an investment has experienced a decline in value that is other than temporary.

Deferred Revenue

Deferred revenue is primarily comprised of billings related to jobs where revenue is recognized on the percentage-of-completion method that have not begun, milestone billings related to jobs where revenue is recognized on the completed contract method and deferred revenue on contract operations jobs.

Other (Income) Expense, Net

Other (income) expense, net is primarily comprised of gains and losses from the remeasurement of our international subsidiaries’ net assets exposed to changes in foreign currency rates and on the sale of assets.

Income Taxes

We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial statements and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

We record net deferred tax assets to the extent we believe these assets will more likely than not be realized. In making such a determination, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, and results of recent operations. In the event we were to determine that we would be able to realize our deferred income tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, we would make an adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance, which would reduce the provision for income taxes.

We record uncertain tax positions in accordance with the accounting standard on income taxes on the basis of a two-step process whereby (1) we determine whether it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained based on the technical merits of the position and (2) those tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, we recognize the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority.

Foreign Currency Translation

The financial statements of subsidiaries outside the U.S., except those for which we have determined that the U.S. dollar is the functional currency, are measured using the local currency as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities of these subsidiaries are translated at the rates of exchange in effect at the balance sheet date. Income and expense items are translated at average monthly rates of exchange. The resulting gains and losses from the translation of accounts into U.S. dollars are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on our consolidated balance sheets. For all subsidiaries, gains and losses from remeasuring foreign currency accounts into the functional currency are included in other (income) expense, net on our consolidated statements of operations.

Hedging and Use of Derivative Instruments

We use derivative financial instruments to minimize the risks and/or costs associated with financial activities by managing our exposure to interest rate fluctuations on a portion of our debt obligations. We also use derivative financial instruments to minimize the risks caused by currency fluctuations in certain foreign currencies. We do not use derivative financial instruments for trading or other speculative purposes. We record interest rate swaps and foreign currency hedges on the balance sheet as either derivative assets or derivative liabilities measured at their fair value. The fair value of our derivatives was estimated using a combination of the market and income approach. Changes in the fair value of the derivatives designated as cash flow hedges are deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, to the extent the contracts are effective as hedges until settlement of the underlying hedged transaction. To qualify for hedge accounting treatment, we must formally document, designate and assess the effectiveness of the transactions. If the necessary correlation ceases to exist or if the anticipated transaction becomes improbable, we would discontinue hedge accounting and apply mark-to-market accounting. Amounts paid or received from interest rate swap agreements are charged or credited to interest expense and matched with the cash flows and interest expense of the debt being hedged, resulting in an adjustment to the effective interest rate. Amounts paid or received from foreign currency derivatives designated as hedges are recorded against revenue and matched with the revenue recognized on the related contract being hedged.

Earnings (Loss) Attributable to Exterran Stockholders Per Common Share

Basic income (loss) attributable to Exterran stockholders per common share is computed by dividing income (loss) attributable to Exterran common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the period. Unvested share-based awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents, whether paid or unpaid, are participating securities and are included in the computation of earnings (loss) per share following the two-class method. Therefore, restricted share awards that contain the right to vote and receive dividends are included in the computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share, unless their effect would be anti-dilutive.

Diluted income (loss) attributable to Exterran stockholders per common share is computed using the weighted average number of shares outstanding adjusted for the incremental common stock equivalents attributed to outstanding options and warrants to purchase common stock, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock to be issued pursuant to our employee stock purchase plan and convertible senior notes, unless their effect would be anti-dilutive.

The table below summarizes loss attributable to Exterran stockholders (in thousands):


	Years Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
Loss from continuing operations attributable to Exterran stockholders	$	(334,645	)	$	(147,148	)	$	(253,168	)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		(5,963	)		45,323			(296,239	)

Net loss attributable to Exterran stockholders	$	(340,608	)	$	(101,825	)	$	(549,407	)

There were no potential shares of common stock included in computing the dilutive potential shares of common stock used in diluted income (loss) per common share for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, as the effect of their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. The table below indicates the potential shares of common stock issuable that were excluded from net dilutive potential shares of common stock issuable as their effect would have been anti-dilutive (in thousands):


	Years Ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2009
Net dilutive potential common shares issuable:
On exercise of options where exercise price is greater than average market value for the period		2,533		1,359		1,140
On exercise of options and vesting of restricted stock and restricted stock units		675		735		539
On settlement of employee stock purchase plan shares		23		14		30
On exercise of warrants		2,808		2,808		1,604
On conversion of 4.25% convertible senior notes due 2014		15,334		15,334		8,762
On conversion of 4.75% convertible senior notes due 2014		3,114		3,114		3,114

Net dilutive potential common shares issuable		24,487		23,364		15,189

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Components of comprehensive income (loss) are net income (loss) and all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from transactions with owners. Our accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consists of foreign currency translation adjustments and changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments, net of tax that are designated as cash flow hedges, and to the extent the hedge is effective. As a result of the changes in the fair values of derivatives designated as hedges and the amortization of interest rate swap terminations, we recorded an increase in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) of $21.8 million (net of tax of $12.1 million), $9.1 million (net of tax of $5.6 million) and $10.2 million (net of tax of $4.8 million) for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Financial Instruments

Our financial instruments include cash, restricted cash, receivables, payables, interest rate swaps, debt and foreign currency hedges. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the estimated fair value of these financial instruments approximated their carrying value as reflected in our consolidated balance sheets. The fair value of our fixed rate debt has been estimated primarily based on quoted market prices. The fair value of our floating rate debt has been estimated based on similar debt transactions that occurred near the valuation dates. A summary of the fair value and carrying value of our debt as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 is shown in the table below (in thousands):


	As of December 31, 2011				As of December 31, 2010
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
Fixed rate debt	$	794,039	$	792,000	$	775,810	$	808,000
Floating rate debt		979,000		989,000		1,121,337		1,101,000

Total debt	$	1,773,039	$	1,781,000	$	1,897,147	$	1,909,000

GAAP requires that all derivative instruments (including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts) be recognized in the balance sheet at fair value, and that changes in such fair values be recognized in earnings (loss) unless specific hedging criteria are met. Changes in the values of derivatives that meet these hedging criteria will ultimately offset related earnings effects of the hedged item pending recognition in earnings.