XML 101 R22.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.19.3
Contingencies and Commitments
 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2019
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Contingencies and Commitments Contingencies and Commitments
The company and certain of its subsidiaries are subject to litigation, claims and other commitments and contingencies arising in the ordinary course of business. Although the asserted value of these matters may be significant, the company currently does not expect that the ultimate resolution of any open matters will have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position or results of operations.
In May 2018, purported shareholders filed complaints against Fluor Corporation and certain of its current and former executives in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas. The plaintiffs purport to represent a class of shareholders who purchased or otherwise acquired Fluor common stock from August 14, 2013 through May 3, 2018, and seek to recover damages arising from alleged violations of federal securities laws. In December 2018, the court appointed co-lead plaintiffs and co-lead counsel. The co-lead plaintiffs filed an amended, consolidated complaint in March 2019. The company filed a motion to dismiss the matter on July 15, 2019. A hearing on the motion to dismiss is anticipated to occur in early 2020. While no assurance can be given as to the ultimate outcome of this matter, the company does not believe it is probable that a loss will be incurred.
In September 2018, two separate purported shareholders' derivative actions were filed against the members of the Board of Directors of Fluor Corporation, a past Board member and the estate of a past Board member, as well as certain of Fluor’s executives in the Texas District Court for Dallas County, Texas. Fluor Corporation is named as a nominal defendant in the actions. These derivative actions purport to assert claims on behalf of Fluor Corporation and largely make the same allegations as contained in the securities class action matter discussed above and seek similar relief. In October 2018, the court consolidated the two actions and later issued an initial scheduling order. The parties are conferring on the schedule and have agreed on a stay of the case until the company's motion to dismiss is ruled upon in the securities class action matter. While no assurance can be given as to the ultimate outcome of this matter, the company does not believe it is probable that a loss will be incurred.
Fluor Australia Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company (“Fluor Australia”), completed a cost reimbursable engineering, procurement and construction management services project for Santos Ltd. (“Santos”) involving a large network of natural gas
gathering and processing facilities in Queensland, Australia. On December 13, 2016, Santos filed an action in Queensland Supreme Court against Fluor Australia, asserting various causes of action and seeking damages of approximately AUD $1.47 billion. Santos has joined Fluor Corporation to the matter on the basis of a parent company guarantee issued for the project. The company believes that the claims asserted by Santos are without merit and is vigorously defending these claims. While no assurance can be given as to the ultimate outcome of this matter, the company does not believe it is probable that a loss will be incurred. Accordingly, the company has not recorded a charge as a result of this action.
On August 1, 2019, the company entered into a settlement agreement in connection with legal matters related to a previously divested business and recognized a gain of $30 million during both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019. The gain on settlement as well as all legal fees associated with this matter were reported in earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax, in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.
In June 2019, the company settled a longstanding customer dispute and recognized gains of $18 million and $31 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively, resulting from the favorable resolution of this matter.
Other Matters
The company has made claims arising from the performance under its contracts. The company recognizes revenue for certain claims (including change orders in dispute and unapproved change orders in regard to both scope and price) when it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur. The company estimates the amount of revenue to be recognized on claims using the expected value (i.e., the sum of a probability-weighted amount) or the most likely amount method, whichever is expected to better predict the amount. Factors considered in determining whether revenue associated with claims should be recognized include the following: (a) the contract or other evidence provides a legal basis for the claim, (b) additional costs were caused by circumstances that were unforeseen at the contract date and not the result of deficiencies in the company’s performance, (c) claim-related costs are identifiable and considered reasonable in view of the work performed, and (d) evidence supporting the claim is objective and verifiable. Similarly, the company recognizes disputed back charges to suppliers or subcontractors as a reduction of cost when the same requirements have been satisfied. The company periodically evaluates its positions and the amounts recognized with respect to all its claims and back charges. As of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the company had recorded $205 million and $166 million, respectively, of claim revenue for costs incurred to date and such costs are included in contract assets. Additional costs, which will increase the claim revenue balance over time, are expected to be incurred in future periods. The company had also recorded disputed back charges totaling $2 million and $18 million as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. The company believes the ultimate recovery of amounts related to these claims and back charges is probable in accordance with ASC 606.
From time to time, the company enters into significant contracts with the U.S. government and its agencies. Government contracts are subject to audits and investigations by government representatives with respect to the company’s compliance with various restrictions and regulations applicable to government contractors, including but not limited to the allowability of costs incurred under reimbursable contracts. In connection with performing government contracts, the company maintains reserves for estimated exposures associated with these matters.
The company’s operations are subject to and affected by federal, state and local laws and regulations regarding the protection of the environment. The company maintains reserves for potential future environmental cost where such obligations are either known or considered probable, and can be reasonably estimated. The company believes, based upon present information available to it, that its reserves with respect to future environmental cost are adequate and such future cost will not have a material effect on the company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity.