Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Asset Retirement Obligations

v3.6.0.2
Asset Retirement Obligations
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]  
Asset Retirement Obligations

4. Asset Retirement Obligations  

Asset retirement obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets are required to be recognized as a liability in the period in which a legal obligation is incurred and becomes determinable, with an offsetting increase in the carrying amount of the associated asset.  The cost of the tangible asset, including the initially recognized ARO, is depleted such that the cost of the ARO is recognized over the useful life of the asset.  The fair value of the ARO is measured using expected cash outflows associated with the ARO, discounted at our credit-adjusted risk-free rate when the liability is initially recorded.  Accretion expense is recognized over time as the discounted liability is accreted to its expected settlement value.

The following is a reconciliation of our ARO liability (in thousands):

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Asset retirement obligations, beginning of period

$

378,322

 

 

$

390,568

 

Liabilities settled

 

(72,320

)

 

 

(32,555

)

Accretion of discount

 

17,571

 

 

 

20,703

 

Disposition of properties

 

 

 

 

(8,581

)

Liabilities assumed through acquisition

 

 

 

 

2,944

 

Liabilities incurred

 

398

 

 

 

4,780

 

Revisions of estimated liabilities

 

10,467

 

 

 

463

 

Asset retirement obligations, end of period

 

334,438

 

 

 

378,322

 

Less current portion

 

78,264

 

 

 

84,335

 

Long-term

$

256,174

 

 

$

293,987

 

During 2016, we decreased our ARO on an overall basis primarily due to plug and abandonment work performed during 2016, partially offset by increases from accretion and revisions of previous estimates.  Upward revisions were primarily related to sustained casing pressure issues for idle iron at our West Cameron fields identified while performing preliminary plug and abandonment work at these fields.  In addition, increases were attributable to non-operated properties.  Partially offsetting are downward revisions to cost estimates from service providers for plug and abandonment work at certain locations.

During 2015, we decreased our ARO on an overall basis primarily due to plug and abandonment work performed during 2015, partially offset by increases from accretion.  Revisions were basically flat as some service providers reduced their costs of goods and services, some service provider costs remained flat and some service provider costs estimates were increased, all of which were incorporated into our estimates.  In addition, revisions were made for scope changes and on the estimates of timing of when the work will be performed.  Liability increases from acquisitions and wells drilled were basically offset by reductions from dispositions.