XML 39 R23.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.22.0.1
Commitments and Contingencies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies

15. Contingencies

Brazilian Tax Issue

From 2002 to 2007, the Company’s Brazilian subsidiary imported goods through, and paid taxes on such imports to, the State of Espirito Santo in Brazil. Upon the final sale of these goods, the Company’s Brazilian subsidiary collected taxes from customers and remitted them to the State of Rio de Janeiro net of the taxes paid on importation of those goods to the State of Espirito Santo in accordance with the Company’s understanding of Brazilian tax laws. In December 2010 and January 2011, the Company’s Brazilian subsidiary was served with two assessments totaling approximately $13.0 million from the State of Rio de Janeiro to cancel the credits associated with the tax payments to the State of Espirito Santo on the importation of goods from July 2005 to October 2007. The Company's Brazilian subsidiary objected to these assessments and filed appeals with a State of Rio de Janeiro judicial court to annul both of these tax assessments.

In the first quarter of 2021, the relevant governmental agencies of the State of Rio de Janeiro authorized an amnesty program with interest discounts and reduced fines. The Company’s Brazilian subsidiary elected to participate in this amnesty program and recorded the settlement amount of approximately $2.1 million as of March 31, 2021. As a result of settling these tax assessments with the relevant governmental agencies pursuant to the amnesty program, the security amounts previously deposited with the court totaling approximately $6 million at current exchange rates were returned to our Brazilian subsidiary during the second and third quarter of 2021.

FMC Technologies Lawsuit

On October 5, 2020, FMC Technologies, Inc. (“FMC”) sued the Company alleging misappropriation of trade secrets and sought money damages and injunctive relief in the 127th District Court of Harris County in an action styled FMC Technologies, Inc. v. Richard Murphy and Dril-Quip, Inc., Cause No. 2020-63081. FMC alleged that its former employee communicated FMC trade secrets to the Company and the Company used those trade secrets in its VXTe subsea tree systems. On April 29, 2021, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the Company. FMC filed a notice of appeal on August 20, 2021. The Company intends to continue its vigorous defense of this matter on appeal.

General

The Company operates its business and markets its products and services in most of the significant oil and gas producing areas in the world and is, therefore, subject to the risks customarily attendant to international operations and is dependent on the condition of the oil and gas industry. Additionally, certain of the Company’s products are used in potentially hazardous drilling, completion, and production applications that can cause personal injury, property damage and environmental claims. Although exposure to such risks have not resulted in any significant problems for the Company in the past, ongoing exposure to these risks and future developments could adversely impact the Company in the future.

The Company is also involved in a number of legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. Although no assurance can be given with respect to the ultimate outcome of such legal action, in the opinion of management, the ultimate liability with respect thereto will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows.