Basis of Presentation

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Basis of Presentation [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

1. Basis of Presentation

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the United States 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.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of National Oilwell Varco, Inc. (the “Company”) present information in accordance with GAAP in the United States for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and applicable rules of Regulation S-X. They do not include all information or footnotes required by GAAP in the United States for complete consolidated financial statements and should be read in conjunction with our 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, all of which are of a normal recurring nature, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods. The results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts of financial instruments including cash and cash equivalents, receivables, and payables approximated fair value because of the relatively short maturity of these instruments. Cash equivalents include only those investments having a maturity date of three months or less at the time of purchase. The carrying values of other financial instruments approximate their respective fair values.