Commitments And Contingencies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments And Contingencies

19. Commitments and Contingencies

Devon is party to various legal proceedings and other matters that may result in future payment obligations or other adverse consequences to its business. Matters that are probable of an unfavorable outcome to Devon and which any related potential payment obligation or other liability can be reasonably estimated are accrued. Such accruals are based on information known about the matters, Devon’s estimates of the outcomes of such matters and its experience in contesting, litigating and settling similar matters. While management does not believe any current matter is likely to involve future amounts that would be material to Devon’s financial position or results of operations after consideration of recorded accruals, the ultimate outcome of such matters and the amounts involved could differ materially from management’s estimates.

Royalty Matters

Numerous oil and natural gas producers and related parties, including Devon, have been named in various lawsuits alleging royalty underpayments. Devon is currently defending against a number of such lawsuits, either as a named defendant in the action or pursuant to indemnity obligations for the benefit of a third party. Plaintiffs in some of these lawsuits are seeking class certification. Among the allegations typically asserted in these suits are claims that Devon used below-market prices, made improper deductions, failed to “enhance” the value of gas through processing, used improper measurement techniques, entered into purchase and midstream arrangements with affiliates that resulted in underpayment of royalties or otherwise failed to prudently market oil, natural gas and NGLs produced and sold and pay royalties on the highest obtainable price. Devon is also involved in governmental agency proceedings and royalty audits and is subject to related contracts and regulatory controls in the ordinary course of business, some that may lead to additional royalty claims. Devon does not currently believe that it is subject to material exposure with respect to such royalty matters.

Environmental and Climate Change Matters

Devon’s business is subject to numerous federal, state, local, Native American tribal and foreign laws and regulations governing the discharge of materials into the environment or otherwise relating to environmental protection. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may result in the assessment of administrative, civil and criminal fines and penalties, as well as remediation costs. Although Devon believes that it is in substantial compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations and that continued compliance with existing requirements will not have a material adverse impact on its business, there can be no assurance that this will continue in the future.

Beginning in 2013, various parishes in Louisiana filed suit against numerous oil and gas companies, including Devon, alleging that the companies’ operations and activities in certain fields violated the State and Local Coastal Resource Management Act of 1978, as amended, and caused substantial environmental contamination, subsidence and other environmental damages to land and water bodies located in the coastal zone of Louisiana. The plaintiffs’ claims against Devon relate primarily to the operations of several of Devon’s corporate predecessors. The plaintiffs seek, among other things, the payment of the costs necessary to clear, re-vegetate and otherwise restore the allegedly impacted areas. Although Devon cannot predict the ultimate outcome of these matters, Devon believes these claims to be baseless and is vigorously defending against these claims.

The State of Delaware and various municipalities and other governmental and private parties in California have filed legal proceedings against numerous oil and gas companies, including Devon, seeking relief to abate alleged impacts of climate change. These proceedings include far-reaching claims for monetary damages and injunctive relief. Although Devon cannot predict the ultimate outcome of these matters, Devon believes these claims to be baseless and intends to vigorously defend against the proceedings.

Williams’ Former Power Business Matter

Direct and indirect purchasers of natural gas in various states filed individual and class action lawsuits against The Williams Companies, Inc. (“Williams”) and other parties alleging the manipulation of published gas price indices and seeking unspecified amounts of damages. WPX and certain of its subsidiaries, which were then affiliates of Williams, were also named as defendants in these actions. Such actions were transferred to the Nevada federal district court for consolidation of discovery and pre-trial issues. Although certain of the actions were subsequently settled or otherwise resolved, two putative class actions and an individual action remain unresolved.

The putative class actions have been remanded to their originally filed court, the Wisconsin federal district court, and class certification motions are pending. The individual action, Reorganized FLI Inc., has been remanded to its originally filed court, the

Kansas federal district court. The Tenth Circuit granted a petition to reconsider the denial of defendants’ motion for summary judgment, and the decision is pending after oral argument in January 2021.

Because of the uncertainty around pending unresolved issues, including an insufficient description of the purported classes and other related matters, Devon cannot reasonably estimate a range of potential exposure at this time for these matters. In connection with its spin-off from Williams in 2011, WPX entered into a separation and distribution agreement with Williams, pursuant to which Williams agreed to indemnify and hold WPX and its subsidiaries harmless from any losses arising out of these matters.

Other Indemnifications and Legacy Matters

Pursuant to various sale agreements relating to divested businesses and assets, Devon has indemnified various purchasers against liabilities that they may incur with respect to the businesses and assets acquired from Devon. Additionally, federal, state and other laws in areas of former operations may require previous operators (including corporate successors of previous operators) to perform or make payments in certain circumstances where the current operator may no longer be able to satisfy the applicable obligation. Such obligations may include plugging and abandoning wells, removing production facilities or performing requirements under surface agreements in existence at the time of disposition.

In November 2020, the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, ordered several oil and gas operators, including Devon, to perform decommissioning and reclamation activities related to two California offshore oil and gas production platforms and related facilities. The current operator and owner of the platforms contends that it does not have the financial ability to perform these obligations and relinquished the related federal lease in October 2020. In response to the apparent insolvency of the current operator, the government has ordered the former operators and alleged former lease record title owners to decommission the platforms. The government contends that an alleged corporate predecessor of Devon owned a partial interest in the subject lease and platforms. Although Devon cannot predict the ultimate outcome of this matter, Devon denies any obligation to decommission the subject platforms, has appealed the order, and believes any decommissioning obligation related to the subject platforms should be assumed by others.