Organization and Basis of Presentation (Policies)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Nature of Operations	Nature of Operations NOW Inc. (“NOW” or the “Company”) is a holding company headquartered in Houston, Texas that was incorporated in Delaware on November 22, 2013. NOW operates primarily under the DistributionNOW and Wilson Export brands. NOW is a global distributor of energy products as well as products for industrial applications through its locations in the U.S., Canada and internationally which are geographically positioned to serve the energy and industrial markets in approximately 80 countries. NOW’s energy product offerings are used in the oil and gas industry including upstream drilling and completion, exploration and production, midstream infrastructure development and downstream petroleum refining – as well as in other industries, such as chemical processing, power generation and industrial manufacturing operations. The industrial distribution portion of NOW’s business targets a diverse range of manufacturing and facilities across numerous industries and end markets. NOW also provides supply chain management to drilling contractors, E&P operators, midstream operators, downstream energy and industrial manufacturing companies. NOW’s supplier network consists of thousands of vendors in approximately 40 countries.
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation The accompanying consolidated financial information include the accounts of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated.
Reclassification	Reclassification Certain amounts in the prior periods presented have been reclassified to conform to the current period financial statement presentation. These reclassifications have no effect on previously reported results of operations.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards	Recently Issued Accounting Standards In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). ASU 2016-02 requires lessees to recognize a lease liability and a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset for all leases, including operating leases, with a term greater than twelve months in its balance sheets. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted, and requires a modified retrospective transition method. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, Targeted Improvements, which provided entities with an additional (and optional) transition method, allowing an entity to apply the new lease standard at the adoption date and to recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. The Company will adopt ASC Topic 842 on January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective transition method allowed under ASU 2018-11. The Company will elect the package of practical expedients permitted under ASU 2018-11, which among other things, allows an entity to carry forward its historical lease classifications. The Company is currently finalizing the implementation of key systems functionality and internal control processes in order to comply with ASC Topic 842. Based on its current assessment, which is subject to change, the Company estimates both assets and liabilities on its consolidated balance sheets will increase by less than $100 million, upon adoption. Changes in the lease population or changes in incremental borrowing rates may alter this estimate. The Company does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact in its consolidated statements of operations and cash flows. The Company will expand its consolidated financial statement disclosure upon adoption of this standard. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (Topic 326), which replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology in current GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to determine credit loss estimates. ASU 2016-13 requires entities to measure all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Entities will now use forward-looking information to better form their credit loss estimates. ASU 2016-13 is effective for annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted as of December 15, 2018, and requires modified retrospective transition method. The Company is currently assessing the impact of ASU 2016-13 in its consolidated financial statements. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820), which modified the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements. ASU 2018-13 is effective for annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted for removed or modified disclosures. The Company is currently assessing the impact of ASU 2018-13 in its consolidated financial statements.
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards	Recently Adopted Accounting Standards In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). ASU 2014-09 affects any entity using GAAP that enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets unless those contracts are within the scope of other standards (e.g., insurance contracts or lease contracts). This ASU supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in ASC Topic 605 Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance. The Company adopted this standard as of January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective transition method resulting in a de minimis increase to the opening accumulated deficit due to the cumulative impact of adopting Topic 606. The adoption of the new standard had no material impact on the measurement or recognition of revenue, however additional disclosures have been added in accordance with Topic 606. See Note 2 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” for additional details on the Company’s revenue policies. In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost (Topic 715). ASU 2017-07 requires the disaggregation of the service cost component from the other components of net periodic benefit cost and allows only the service cost component of net benefit cost to be eligible for capitalization. ASU 2017-07 is effective for annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company sponsors two defined benefit plans in the UK under which accrual of pension benefits has ceased and there will not be a service cost component to the net periodic pension cost. Plan member benefits that have previously been accrued are indexed in line with inflation during the period up to retirement in order to protect their purchasing power. The Company adopted this standard as of January 1, 2018, with no material impact in its consolidated financial statements. In March 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-05, Income Taxes: Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (Topic 740), which updates the income tax accounting in U.S. GAAP to reflect the Securities and Exchange Commission interpretive guidance released on December 22, 2017, when the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“TCJA”) was enacted into law. The Company evaluated the potential impacts of SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”) along with this ASU and has applied them to its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. See Note 9 “Income Taxes” for additional information.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents consist of all highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Fair Value of Financial Instruments The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, receivables and payables approximated fair value because of the relatively short maturity of these instruments. See Note 12 “Derivative Financial Instruments” for the fair value of derivative financial instruments.
Inventories	Inventories Inventories consist primarily of oilfield and industrial finished goods. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value and using average cost methods. Allowances for excess and obsolete inventories are determined based on the Company’s historical usage of inventory on hand as well as its future expectations. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company reported inventory of $602 million and $590 million, respectively (net of inventory reserves of $28 million and $40 million, respectively).
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Expenditures for major improvements that extend the lives of property and equipment are capitalized while minor replacements, maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Disposals are removed at cost less accumulated depreciation with any resulting gain or loss reflected in the results of operations for the respective period. Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of individual items.
Long-Lived Assets, Including Goodwill and Other Acquired Intangible Assets	Long-Lived Assets, Including Goodwill and Other Acquired Intangible Assets The Company evaluates the recoverability of property, plant and equipment and amortizable intangible assets for possible impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Recoverability of these assets is measured by a comparison of the carrying amounts to the future undiscounted cash flows the assets are expected to generate. If such review indicates that the carrying amount of property and equipment and intangible assets is not recoverable, the carrying amount of such assets is reduced to fair value. The Company has not recorded any such impairment charge during the years presented. In addition to the recoverability assessment, the Company routinely reviews the remaining estimated useful lives of property, plant and equipment and amortizable intangible assets. If the Company changes the estimated useful life assumption for any asset, the remaining unamortized balance is amortized or depreciated over the revised estimated useful life. The Company conducts goodwill impairment testing annually in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year, and more frequently on an interim basis, when an event occurs or changes in circumstances indicate that the fair value of a reporting unit may have declined below its carrying value. Events or circumstances which could indicate a probable impairment include, but are not limited to, a significant reduction in worldwide oil and gas prices or drilling; a significant reduction in profitability or cash flow of oil and gas companies or drilling contractors; a significant reduction in worldwide well completion and remediation activity; a significant reduction in capital investment by other oilfield service companies; or a significant increase in worldwide inventories of oil or gas. The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is defined as an operating segment or one level below that constitutes a business for which financial information is available and is regularly reviewed by management. The Company determined that it has five reporting units for this purpose—United States Energy, United States Supply Chain, United States Process Solutions, Canada and International. After the early adoption of ASU 2017-04, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment (Topic 350), as of January 1, 2018, the Company tests goodwill for impairment by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value. If the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of a reporting unit, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess, but not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. When performing goodwill impairment testing, the fair values of reporting units are determined based on valuation techniques using the best available information, including discounted cash flow projections. The discounted cash flow is based on management’s short-term and long-term forecast of operating performance for each reporting unit. The two main assumptions used in measuring goodwill impairment, which bear the risk of change and could impact the Company’s goodwill impairment analysis, include the cash flow from operations from each of the Company’s individual business units and the discount rate. The starting point for each of the reporting unit’s cash flow from operations is the detailed annual plan or updated forecast. The detailed planning and forecasting process takes into consideration a multitude of factors including worldwide rig activity, inflationary forces, pricing strategies, customer analysis, operational issues, competitor analysis, capital spending requirements, working capital requirements and customer needs among other items which impact the individual reporting unit projections. Cash flows beyond the specific operating plans were estimated using a terminal value calculation, which incorporated historical and forecasted financial cyclical trends for each reporting unit and considered long-term earnings growth rates. The financial and credit market volatility impacts the fair value measurement by adjusting the discount rate. During times of volatility, significant judgment must be applied to determine whether credit changes are a short-term or long-term trend. The Company makes significant assumptions and estimates about the extent and timing of future cash flows, growth rates, and discount rates all of which represent unobservable inputs into valuation methodologies and are classified as level 3 inputs under the fair value hierarchy. In evaluating the reasonableness of the Company’s fair value estimates, the Company considers, among other factors, the relationship between the market capitalization of the Company and the total estimated fair value of its reporting units less debt.
Foreign Currency	Foreign Currency The functional currency for most of the Company’s foreign operations is the local currency. Certain foreign operations use the U.S. dollar as the functional currency. For those that have local currency as functional the cumulative effects of translating the balance sheet accounts from the functional currency into the U.S. dollar at current exchange rates are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Revenues and expenses are translated at average exchange rates in effect during the period. Accordingly, financial statements of these foreign subsidiaries are remeasured to U.S. dollars for consolidation purposes using current rates of exchange for monetary assets and liabilities and historical rates of exchange for nonmonetary assets and related elements of expense. Revenue and expense elements are remeasured at rates that approximate the rates in effect on the transaction dates. For all operations, gains or losses, from remeasuring foreign currency transactions into the reporting currency, are included in other expense. Net foreign currency transaction losses were $2 million, $2 million and $1 million for the years ending December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and are included in other expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition The Company’s primary source of revenue is the sale of energy products and an extensive selection of products for industrial applications based upon purchase orders or contracts with customers. The majority of revenue is recognized at a point in time once the Company has determined that the customer has obtained control over the product. Control is typically deemed to have been transferred to the customer when the product is shipped, delivered, or picked up by the customer. The Company does not grant extended payment terms. Revenue is recognized net of any taxes collected from customers, which are subsequently remitted to proper government authorities. Shipping and handling costs for product shipments occur prior to the customer obtaining control of the goods, and are recorded in cost of products. The amount of revenue recognized reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for products sold. Revenue is recorded at the transaction price net of estimates of variable consideration, which may include product returns, trade discounts and allowances. The Company accrues for variable consideration using the expected value method. Estimates of variable consideration are included in revenue to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur.
Cost of Products	Cost of Products Cost of products includes the cost of inventory sold and related items, such as vendor consideration, inventory allowances, amortization of intangibles and inbound and outbound freight.
Warehousing, Selling and Administrative Expenses	Warehousing, Selling and Administrative Expenses Warehousing, selling and administrative expenses include branch location, distribution center and regional expenses (including costs such as compensation, benefits and rent) as well as corporate general selling and administrative expenses.
Vendor Consideration	Vendor Consideration The Company receives funds from vendors in the normal course of business, principally as a result of purchase volumes. Generally, these vendor funds do not represent the reimbursement of specific, incremental and identifiable costs incurred by the Company to sell the vendor’s product. Therefore, the Company treats these funds as a reduction of inventory when purchased and once these goods are sold to third parties the associated amount is credited to cost of products. The Company develops accrual rates for vendor consideration based on the provisions of the arrangements in place, historical trends, purchases and future expectations. Due to the complexity and diversity of the individual vendor agreements, the Company performs analyses and reviews historical trends throughout the year and confirms actual amounts with select vendors to ensure the amounts earned are appropriately recorded. Amounts accrued throughout the year could be impacted if actual purchase volumes differ from projected annual purchase volumes, especially in the case of programs that provide for increased funding when graduated purchase volumes are met.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The liability method is used to account for income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to amounts which are more-likely-than-not to be realized.
Concentration of Credit Risk	Concentration of Credit Risk The Company grants credit to its customers, which operate primarily in the energy, industrial and manufacturing markets. Concentrations of credit risk are limited because the Company has a large number of geographically diverse customers, thus spreading trade credit risk. The Company controls credit risk through credit evaluations, credit limits and monitoring procedures. The Company performs periodic credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and generally does not require collateral, but may require letters of credit or prepayments for certain sales. Credit losses are provided for in the financial statements. Allowances for doubtful accounts are determined based on a continuous process of assessing the Company’s portfolio on an individual customer basis taking into account current market conditions and trends. This process consists of a thorough review of historical collection experience, current aging status of the customer accounts, and financial condition of the Company’s customers. Based on a review of these factors, the Company will establish or adjust allowances for specific customers. Balances that remain outstanding after the Company has used reasonable collection efforts are written off through a charge to the allowance and a credit to receivables. No single customer represents more than 10% of the Company’s revenue.
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation Compensation expense for the Company’s stock-based compensation plans is measured using the fair value method required by ASC Topic 718 “Compensation—Stock Compensation”. Under this guidance the fair value of the award is measured on the grant date and amortized to expense using the straight-line method over the shorter of the vesting period or the remaining requisite service period. Forfeitures are recognized as they occur.
Environmental Liabilities	Environmental Liabilities When environmental assessments or remediations are probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated, remediation liabilities are recorded on an undiscounted basis and are adjusted as further information develops or circumstances change.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported and contingent amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Contingencies	Contingencies The Company accrues for costs relating to litigation claims and other contingent matters, when such liabilities become probable and reasonably estimable. Such estimates may be based on advice from third parties or on management’s judgment, as appropriate. Revisions to contingent liabilities are reflected in income in the period in which different facts or information become known or circumstances change that affect the Company’s previous judgments with respect to the likelihood or amount of loss. Amounts paid upon the ultimate resolution of contingent liabilities may be materially different from previous estimates and could require adjustments to the estimated reserves to be recognized in the period such new information becomes known. In circumstances where the most likely outcome of a contingency can be reasonably estimated, the Company accrues a liability for that amount. Where the most likely outcome cannot be estimated, a range of potential losses is established and if no one amount in that range is more likely than others, the low end of the range is accrued.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The Company’s reporting currency is the U.S. dollar. A majority of the Company’s international entities in which there is a substantial investment have the local currency as their functional currency. As a result, foreign currency translation adjustments resulting from the process of translating the entities’ financial statements into the reporting currency are reported in other comprehensive income (loss) in accordance with ASC Topic 830 “Foreign Currency Matters”.
Remaining Performance Obligations	Remaining Performance Obligations Remaining performance obligations represent the transaction price of firm orders for which work has not been performed on contracts with an original expected duration of more than one year. The Company’s contracts are predominantly short-term in nature with a contract term of one year or less. For those contracts, the Company has utilized the practical expedient in ASC Topic 606 exempting the Company from disclosure of the transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations when the performance obligation is part of a contract that has an original expected duration of one year or less.
Receivables	Receivables Receivables are recorded when the Company has an unconditional right to consideration.
Contract Assets and Liabilities	Contract Assets and Liabilities Contract assets primarily consist of retainage amounts held as a form of security by customers until the Company satisfies its remaining performance obligations. As of December 31, 2018, contracts assets were approximately $2 million and were included in receivables, net in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company applied the practical expedient to recognize the incremental costs of obtaining a contract as an expense when incurred if the amortization period of the asset that the Company otherwise would have recognized is one year or less. These expenses were not material for the year ended December 31, 2018. Contract liabilities primarily consist of deferred revenues recorded when customer payments are received or due in advance of satisfying performance obligations, including amounts which are refundable, and other accrued customer liabilities. Revenue recognition is deferred to a future period until the Company completes its obligations contractually agreed with customers. The increase in contract liabilities for the year ended December 31, 2018 was primarily related to customer deposits of approximately $16 million, partially offset by approximately $12 million of revenue recognized that was deferred at January 1, 2018 upon adoption of ASC Topic 606.

Organization and Basis of Presentation (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

NOW Inc. (“NOW” or the “Company”) is a holding company headquartered in Houston, Texas that was incorporated in Delaware on November 22, 2013. NOW operates primarily under the DistributionNOW and Wilson Export brands. NOW is a global distributor of energy products as well as products for industrial applications through its locations in the U.S., Canada and internationally which are geographically positioned to serve the energy and industrial markets in approximately 80 countries. NOW’s energy product offerings are used in the oil and gas industry including upstream drilling and completion, exploration and production, midstream infrastructure development and downstream petroleum refining – as well as in other industries, such as chemical processing, power generation and industrial manufacturing operations. The industrial distribution portion of NOW’s business targets a diverse range of manufacturing and facilities across numerous industries and end markets. NOW also provides supply chain management to drilling contractors, E&P operators, midstream operators, downstream energy and industrial manufacturing companies. NOW’s supplier network consists of thousands of vendors in approximately 40 countries.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial information include the accounts of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated.

Reclassification

Certain amounts in the prior periods presented have been reclassified to conform to the current period financial statement presentation. These reclassifications have no effect on previously reported results of operations.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). ASU 2016-02 requires lessees to recognize a lease liability and a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset for all leases, including operating leases, with a term greater than twelve months in its balance sheets. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted, and requires a modified retrospective transition method. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, Targeted Improvements, which provided entities with an additional (and optional) transition method, allowing an entity to apply the new lease standard at the adoption date and to recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption.

The Company will adopt ASC Topic 842 on January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective transition method allowed under ASU 2018-11. The Company will elect the package of practical expedients permitted under ASU 2018-11, which among other things, allows an entity to carry forward its historical lease classifications. The Company is currently finalizing the implementation of key systems functionality and internal control processes in order to comply with ASC Topic 842. Based on its current assessment, which is subject to change, the Company estimates both assets and liabilities on its consolidated balance sheets will increase by less than $100 million, upon adoption. Changes in the lease population or changes in incremental borrowing rates may alter this estimate. The Company does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact in its consolidated statements of operations and cash flows. The Company will expand its consolidated financial statement disclosure upon adoption of this standard.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (Topic 326), which replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology in current GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to determine credit loss estimates. ASU 2016-13 requires entities to measure all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Entities will now use forward-looking information to better form their credit loss estimates. ASU 2016-13 is effective for annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted as of December 15, 2018, and requires modified retrospective transition method. The Company is currently assessing the impact of ASU 2016-13 in its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820), which modified the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements. ASU 2018-13 is effective for annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted for removed or modified disclosures. The Company is currently assessing the impact of ASU 2018-13 in its consolidated financial statements.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). ASU 2014-09 affects any entity using GAAP that enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets unless those contracts are within the scope of other standards (e.g., insurance contracts or lease contracts). This ASU supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in ASC Topic 605 Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance. The Company adopted this standard as of January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective transition method resulting in a de minimis increase to the opening accumulated deficit due to the cumulative impact of adopting Topic 606. The adoption of the new standard had no material impact on the measurement or recognition of revenue, however additional disclosures have been added in accordance with Topic 606. See Note 2 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” for additional details on the Company’s revenue policies.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost (Topic 715). ASU 2017-07 requires the disaggregation of the service cost component from the other components of net periodic benefit cost and allows only the service cost component of net benefit cost to be eligible for capitalization. ASU 2017-07 is effective for annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company sponsors two defined benefit plans in the UK under which accrual of pension benefits has ceased and there will not be a service cost component to the net periodic pension cost. Plan member benefits that have previously been accrued are indexed in line with inflation during the period up to retirement in order to protect their purchasing power. The Company adopted this standard as of January 1, 2018, with no material impact in its consolidated financial statements.

In March 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-05, Income Taxes: Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (Topic 740), which updates the income tax accounting in U.S. GAAP to reflect the Securities and Exchange Commission interpretive guidance released on December 22, 2017, when the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“TCJA”) was enacted into law. The Company evaluated the potential impacts of SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”) along with this ASU and has applied them to its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. See Note 9 “Income Taxes” for additional information.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents consist of all highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, receivables and payables approximated fair value because of the relatively short maturity of these instruments. See Note 12 “Derivative Financial Instruments” for the fair value of derivative financial instruments.

Inventories

Inventories consist primarily of oilfield and industrial finished goods. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value and using average cost methods. Allowances for excess and obsolete inventories are determined based on the Company’s historical usage of inventory on hand as well as its future expectations. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company reported inventory of $602 million and $590 million, respectively (net of inventory reserves of $28 million and $40 million, respectively).

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Expenditures for major improvements that extend the lives of property and equipment are capitalized while minor replacements, maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Disposals are removed at cost less accumulated depreciation with any resulting gain or loss reflected in the results of operations for the respective period. Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of individual items.

Long-Lived Assets, Including Goodwill and Other Acquired Intangible Assets

The Company evaluates the recoverability of property, plant and equipment and amortizable intangible assets for possible impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Recoverability of these assets is measured by a comparison of the carrying amounts to the future undiscounted cash flows the assets are expected to generate. If such review indicates that the carrying amount of property and equipment and intangible assets is not recoverable, the carrying amount of such assets is reduced to fair value. The Company has not recorded any such impairment charge during the years presented.

In addition to the recoverability assessment, the Company routinely reviews the remaining estimated useful lives of property, plant and equipment and amortizable intangible assets. If the Company changes the estimated useful life assumption for any asset, the remaining unamortized balance is amortized or depreciated over the revised estimated useful life.

The Company conducts goodwill impairment testing annually in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year, and more frequently on an interim basis, when an event occurs or changes in circumstances indicate that the fair value of a reporting unit may have declined below its carrying value. Events or circumstances which could indicate a probable impairment include, but are not limited to, a significant reduction in worldwide oil and gas prices or drilling; a significant reduction in profitability or cash flow of oil and gas companies or drilling contractors; a significant reduction in worldwide well completion and remediation activity; a significant reduction in capital investment by other oilfield service companies; or a significant increase in worldwide inventories of oil or gas.

The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is defined as an operating segment or one level below that constitutes a business for which financial information is available and is regularly reviewed by management. The Company determined that it has five reporting units for this purpose—United States Energy, United States Supply Chain, United States Process Solutions, Canada and International.

After the early adoption of ASU 2017-04, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment (Topic 350), as of January 1, 2018, the Company tests goodwill for impairment by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value. If the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of a reporting unit, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess, but not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.

When performing goodwill impairment testing, the fair values of reporting units are determined based on valuation techniques using the best available information, including discounted cash flow projections. The discounted cash flow is based on management’s short-term and long-term forecast of operating performance for each reporting unit. The two main assumptions used in measuring goodwill impairment, which bear the risk of change and could impact the Company’s goodwill impairment analysis, include the cash flow from operations from each of the Company’s individual business units and the discount rate. The starting point for each of the reporting unit’s cash flow from operations is the detailed annual plan or updated forecast. The detailed planning and forecasting process takes into consideration a multitude of factors including worldwide rig activity, inflationary forces, pricing strategies, customer analysis, operational issues, competitor analysis, capital spending requirements, working capital requirements and customer needs among other items which impact the individual reporting unit projections. Cash flows beyond the specific operating plans were estimated using a terminal value calculation, which incorporated historical and forecasted financial cyclical trends for each reporting unit and considered long-term earnings growth rates. The financial and credit market volatility impacts the fair value measurement by adjusting the discount rate. During times of volatility, significant judgment must be applied to determine whether credit changes are a short-term or long-term trend. The Company makes significant assumptions and estimates about the extent and timing of future cash flows, growth rates, and discount rates all of which represent unobservable inputs into valuation methodologies and are classified as level 3 inputs under the fair value hierarchy. In evaluating the reasonableness of the Company’s fair value estimates, the Company considers, among other factors, the relationship between the market capitalization of the Company and the total estimated fair value of its reporting units less debt.

Foreign Currency

The functional currency for most of the Company’s foreign operations is the local currency. Certain foreign operations use the U.S. dollar as the functional currency. For those that have local currency as functional the cumulative effects of translating the balance sheet accounts from the functional currency into the U.S. dollar at current exchange rates are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Revenues and expenses are translated at average exchange rates in effect during the period. Accordingly, financial statements of these foreign subsidiaries are remeasured to U.S. dollars for consolidation purposes using current rates of exchange for monetary assets and liabilities and historical rates of exchange for nonmonetary assets and related elements of expense. Revenue and expense elements are remeasured at rates that approximate the rates in effect on the transaction dates. For all operations, gains or losses, from remeasuring foreign currency transactions into the reporting currency, are included in other expense. Net foreign currency transaction losses were $2 million, $2 million and $1 million for the years ending December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and are included in other expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

Revenue Recognition

The Company’s primary source of revenue is the sale of energy products and an extensive selection of products for industrial applications based upon purchase orders or contracts with customers. The majority of revenue is recognized at a point in time once the Company has determined that the customer has obtained control over the product. Control is typically deemed to have been transferred to the customer when the product is shipped, delivered, or picked up by the customer. The Company does not grant extended payment terms. Revenue is recognized net of any taxes collected from customers, which are subsequently remitted to proper government authorities. Shipping and handling costs for product shipments occur prior to the customer obtaining control of the goods, and are recorded in cost of products.

The amount of revenue recognized reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for products sold. Revenue is recorded at the transaction price net of estimates of variable consideration, which may include product returns, trade discounts and allowances. The Company accrues for variable consideration using the expected value method. Estimates of variable consideration are included in revenue to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur.

Cost of Products

Cost of products includes the cost of inventory sold and related items, such as vendor consideration, inventory allowances, amortization of intangibles and inbound and outbound freight.

Warehousing, Selling and Administrative Expenses

Warehousing, selling and administrative expenses include branch location, distribution center and regional expenses (including costs such as compensation, benefits and rent) as well as corporate general selling and administrative expenses.

Vendor Consideration

The Company receives funds from vendors in the normal course of business, principally as a result of purchase volumes. Generally, these vendor funds do not represent the reimbursement of specific, incremental and identifiable costs incurred by the Company to sell the vendor’s product. Therefore, the Company treats these funds as a reduction of inventory when purchased and once these goods are sold to third parties the associated amount is credited to cost of products. The Company develops accrual rates for vendor consideration based on the provisions of the arrangements in place, historical trends, purchases and future expectations. Due to the complexity and diversity of the individual vendor agreements, the Company performs analyses and reviews historical trends throughout the year and confirms actual amounts with select vendors to ensure the amounts earned are appropriately recorded. Amounts accrued throughout the year could be impacted if actual purchase volumes differ from projected annual purchase volumes, especially in the case of programs that provide for increased funding when graduated purchase volumes are met.

Income Taxes

The liability method is used to account for income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to amounts which are more-likely-than-not to be realized.

Concentration of Credit Risk

The Company grants credit to its customers, which operate primarily in the energy, industrial and manufacturing markets. Concentrations of credit risk are limited because the Company has a large number of geographically diverse customers, thus spreading trade credit risk. The Company controls credit risk through credit evaluations, credit limits and monitoring procedures. The Company performs periodic credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and generally does not require collateral, but may require letters of credit or prepayments for certain sales. Credit losses are provided for in the financial statements. Allowances for doubtful accounts are determined based on a continuous process of assessing the Company’s portfolio on an individual customer basis taking into account current market conditions and trends. This process consists of a thorough review of historical collection experience, current aging status of the customer accounts, and financial condition of the Company’s customers. Based on a review of these factors, the Company will establish or adjust allowances for specific customers. Balances that remain outstanding after the Company has used reasonable collection efforts are written off through a charge to the allowance and a credit to receivables. No single customer represents more than 10% of the Company’s revenue.

Stock-Based Compensation

Compensation expense for the Company’s stock-based compensation plans is measured using the fair value method required by ASC Topic 718 “Compensation—Stock Compensation”. Under this guidance the fair value of the award is measured on the grant date and amortized to expense using the straight-line method over the shorter of the vesting period or the remaining requisite service period. Forfeitures are recognized as they occur.

Environmental Liabilities

When environmental assessments or remediations are probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated, remediation liabilities are recorded on an undiscounted basis and are adjusted as further information develops or circumstances change.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported and contingent amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Contingencies

The Company accrues for costs relating to litigation claims and other contingent matters, when such liabilities become probable and reasonably estimable. Such estimates may be based on advice from third parties or on management’s judgment, as appropriate. Revisions to contingent liabilities are reflected in income in the period in which different facts or information become known or circumstances change that affect the Company’s previous judgments with respect to the likelihood or amount of loss. Amounts paid upon the ultimate resolution of contingent liabilities may be materially different from previous estimates and could require adjustments to the estimated reserves to be recognized in the period such new information becomes known.

In circumstances where the most likely outcome of a contingency can be reasonably estimated, the Company accrues a liability for that amount. Where the most likely outcome cannot be estimated, a range of potential losses is established and if no one amount in that range is more likely than others, the low end of the range is accrued.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The Company’s reporting currency is the U.S. dollar. A majority of the Company’s international entities in which there is a substantial investment have the local currency as their functional currency. As a result, foreign currency translation adjustments resulting from the process of translating the entities’ financial statements into the reporting currency are reported in other comprehensive income (loss) in accordance with ASC Topic 830 “Foreign Currency Matters”.

Remaining Performance Obligations

Remaining performance obligations represent the transaction price of firm orders for which work has not been performed on contracts with an original expected duration of more than one year. The Company’s contracts are predominantly short-term in nature with a contract term of one year or less. For those contracts, the Company has utilized the practical expedient in ASC Topic 606 exempting the Company from disclosure of the transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations when the performance obligation is part of a contract that has an original expected duration of one year or less.

Receivables

Receivables are recorded when the Company has an unconditional right to consideration.

Contract Assets and Liabilities

Contract assets primarily consist of retainage amounts held as a form of security by customers until the Company satisfies its remaining performance obligations. As of December 31, 2018, contracts assets were approximately $2 million and were included in receivables, net in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company applied the practical expedient to recognize the incremental costs of obtaining a contract as an expense when incurred if the amortization period of the asset that the Company otherwise would have recognized is one year or less. These expenses were not material for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Contract liabilities primarily consist of deferred revenues recorded when customer payments are received or due in advance of satisfying performance obligations, including amounts which are refundable, and other accrued customer liabilities. Revenue recognition is deferred to a future period until the Company completes its obligations contractually agreed with customers. The increase in contract liabilities for the year ended December 31, 2018 was primarily related to customer deposits of approximately $16 million, partially offset by approximately $12 million of revenue recognized that was deferred at January 1, 2018 upon adoption of ASC Topic 606.