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Commitments and Contingencies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies
26. Commitments and Contingencies

Performance Bonds

In the normal course of business we have issued performance bonds to various state authorities that ensure payment of certain obligations. We have also issued a bond to protect our 401(k) retirement plan against losses caused by acts of fraud or dishonesty. The bonds have expiration dates in 2020 through the fourth quarter of 2022 and maximum potential future payments of $2.3 million. As of December 31, 2019, we were in compliance with all obligations to which the performance bonds pertain.

Tax Matters

We are subject to a number of state and local taxes that are not income-based. As many of these taxes are subject to audit by the taxing authorities, it is possible that an audit could result in additional taxes due. We accrue for such additional taxes when we determine that it is probable that we have incurred a liability and we can reasonably estimate the amount of the liability. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, we accrued $2.5 million and $4.5 million, respectively, for the outcomes of non-income based tax audits. We do not expect that the ultimate resolutions of these audits will result in a material variance from the amounts accrued. We do not accrue for unasserted claims for tax audits unless we believe the assertion of a claim is probable, it is probable that it will be determined that the claim is owed and we can reasonably estimate the claim or range of the claim. We believe the likelihood is remote that the impact of potential unasserted claims from non-income based tax audits could be material to our consolidated financial position, but it is possible that the resolution of future audits could be material to our consolidated results of operations or cash flows.

Subject to the provisions of the tax matters agreement between Exterran Corporation and us, both parties agreed to indemnify the primary obligor of any return for tax periods beginning before and ending before or after the Spin-off (including any ongoing or future amendments and audits for these returns) for the portion of the tax liability (including interest and penalties) that relates to their respective operations reported in the filing. The tax contingencies mentioned above relate to tax matters for which we are responsible in managing the audit. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, we recorded an indemnification liability (including penalties and interest), in addition to the tax contingency above, of $2.8 million and $2.6 million, respectively, for our share of non-income based tax contingencies related to audits being managed by Exterran Corporation.

During the fourth quarter of 2018, we settled certain sales and use tax audits, for which we recorded an $11.3 million net benefit in our consolidated statement of operations. This net benefit was reflected as a decrease of $1.8 million, $8.9 million and $0.1 million to cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization), SG&A and interest expense, respectively, and an increase to other income, net of $0.5 million. These settlements were reflected in our consolidated balance sheets as a $15.3 million tax refund receivable offset by $4.0 million in accrued liabilities at December 31, 2018. We received the cash refund for this settlement in the first quarter of 2019.

Insurance Matters

Our business can be hazardous, involving unforeseen circumstances such as uncontrollable flows of natural gas or well fluids and fires or explosions. As is customary in our industry, we review our safety equipment and procedures and carry insurance against some, but not all, risks of our business. Our insurance coverage includes property damage, general liability and commercial automobile liability and other coverage we believe is appropriate. We believe that our insurance coverage is customary for the industry and adequate for our business; however, losses and liabilities not covered by insurance would increase our costs.

Additionally, we are substantially self-insured for workers’ compensation and employee group health claims in view of the relatively high per-incident deductibles we absorb under our insurance arrangements for these risks. Losses up to the deductible amounts are estimated and accrued based upon known facts, historical trends and industry averages. We are also self-insured for property damage to our offshore assets.

Litigation and Claims

In the ordinary course of business, we are involved in various pending or threatened legal actions. While we are unable to predict the ultimate outcome of these actions, we believe that any ultimate liability arising from any of these actions will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows, including our ability to pay dividends. However, because of the inherent uncertainty of litigation and arbitration proceedings, we cannot provide assurance that the resolution of any particular claim or proceeding to which we are a party will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows, including our ability to pay dividends.

The SEC conducted an investigation in connection with certain previously disclosed errors and irregularities at one of our former international operations. The SEC’s investigation related to the circumstances that gave rise to the restatement of prior period consolidated and combined financial statements. On April 8, 2019, we received notice that the investigation had concluded with no enforcement action.