Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

We consolidate all wholly owned subsidiaries, controlled joint ventures and variable interest entities where the Company has determined it is the primary beneficiary. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation related to the adoption of new accounting standards. Net income and shareholders’ equity were not affected by these reclassifications. See subsection entitled “New Accounting Pronouncements” for additional details.

Investments in affiliates in which we exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies are accounted for using the equity method. We recognize equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates in Selling, General and Administration attributable to segments in our Consolidated Statements of Operations (see “Note 11 – Equity Investments”).

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates and assumptions, including those related to uncollectible accounts receivable, lower of cost or market of inventories, equity investments, derivative financial instruments, intangible assets and goodwill, property, plant and equipment (“PP&E”), income taxes, percentage-of-completion accounting for long-term contracts, self-insurance, foreign currency exchange rates, pension and post-retirement benefit plans, disputes, litigation, contingencies and share-based compensation. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Disputes, Litigation and Contingencies

We accrue an estimate of the probable and estimable cost to resolve certain legal and investigation matters. For matters not deemed probable and reasonably estimable, we have not accrued any amounts in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our contingent loss estimates are based upon an analysis of potential results, assuming a combination of probable litigation and settlement strategies. The accuracy of these estimates is impacted by the complexity of the associated issues.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

We consider all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

We establish an allowance for doubtful accounts based on various factors including historical experience, the current aging status of our customer accounts, the financial condition of our customers and the business and political environment in which our customers operate. Provisions for doubtful accounts are recorded when it becomes probable that customer accounts are uncollectible.

Major Customers and Credit Risk

Substantially all of our customers are engaged in the energy industry. This concentration of customers may impact our overall exposure to credit risk, either positively or negatively, in that customers may be similarly affected by changes in economic and industry conditions. We perform on-going credit evaluations of our customers and do not generally require collateral in support of our trade receivables. We maintain allowances for potential credit losses, and actual losses have historically been within our expectations. International sales also present various risks, including risks of war, civil disturbances and governmental activities that may limit or disrupt markets, restrict the movement of funds, or result in the deprivation of contract rights or the taking of property without fair consideration. Most of our international sales are to large international or national oil companies and these sales have resulted in a concentration of receivables from certain national oil companies in Latin America. As of December 31, 2016, Latin America accounted for 38% of our net outstanding accounts receivables. Venezuela, Ecuador and Mexico represent 43%, 16% and 10%, respectively, of the Latin America balance. In 2016, we accepted a note with a face value of $120 million from Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A. (“PDVSA”) in exchange for $120 million in net trade receivables. The note had a three year term at a 6.5% stated interest rate. We carried the note at fair value and recognized a loss in the second quarter of 2016 of $84 million to adjust the note to fair value. In the fourth quarter of 2016, we sold the economic rights in the note receivable for $44 million and recognized a gain of $8 million. During 2016, 2015 and 2014, no individual customer accounted for more than 10% of our consolidated revenues.

Inventories

We value our inventories at lower of cost or market using either the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) or average cost method. Cost represents third-party invoice or production cost. Production cost includes material, labor and manufacturing overhead. Work in process and finished goods inventories include the cost of materials, labor and manufacturing overhead. To maintain a book value that is the lower of cost or market, we maintain reserves for excess, slow moving and obsolete inventory. We regularly review inventory quantities on hand and record provisions for excess, slow moving and obsolete inventory.

Property, Plant and Equipment

We carry our property, plant and equipment, both owned and under capital lease, at cost less accumulated depreciation. The carrying values are based on our estimates and judgments relative to capitalized costs, useful lives and salvage value, where applicable. We expense maintenance and repairs as incurred. We capitalize expenditures for improvements as well as renewals and replacements that extend the useful life of the asset. We depreciate our fixed assets on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, allowing for salvage value where applicable.

Our depreciation expense was $896 million, $1.1 billion and $1.3 billion for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. We classify our rig assets as “Rental and Service Equipment” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The estimated useful lives of our major classes of PP&E are as follows:



Major Classes of Property, Plant and Equipment	Estimated Useful Lives
Buildings and leasehold improvements	10 – 40 years or lease term
Rental and service equipment	2 – 20 years
Machinery and other	2 – 12 years

Goodwill and Indefinite Lived Intangibles Assets

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of consideration paid over the fair value of net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired in a business combination. Goodwill is not amortized but is evaluated for impairment. We perform an impairment test for goodwill annually as of October 1 or more frequently if indicators of potential impairment exist that would more-likely-than-not reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below its carrying value. Goodwill impairment is evaluated using a two-step process. The first step of the goodwill impairment test involves a comparison of the fair value of each of our reporting units with their carrying values. We have the option to assess qualitative factors to determine if it is necessary to perform the first step of the impairment test. If it is not more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, further testing is not required.

If the fair value of a reporting unit is less than the recorded book value of the reporting unit’s net assets (including goodwill), then a hypothetical purchase price allocation is performed on the reporting unit’s assets and liabilities using the fair value of the reporting unit as the purchase price in the calculation. If the implied fair value of goodwill is less than the recorded amount of goodwill, the recorded goodwill is written down to the new amount.

Intangible Assets

Our intangible assets, excluding goodwill, are acquired technology, licenses, patents, customer relationships and other identifiable intangible assets. Intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated economic lives generally ranging from two to 20 years, except for intangible assets with indefinite lives, which are not amortized. As many areas of our business rely on patents and proprietary technology, we seek patent protection both inside and outside the U.S. for products and methods that appear to have commercial significance. We capitalize patent defense costs when we determine that a successful defense is probable.

Long-Lived Assets

We initially record our long-lived assets at cost, and review on a regular basis to determine whether any events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. Factors that might indicate a potential impairment may include, but are not limited to, significant decreases in the market value of the long-lived asset, a significant change in the long-lived asset’s physical condition, the introduction of competing technologies, legal challenges, a reduction in the utilization rate of the assets, a change in industry conditions or a reduction in cash flows associated with the use of the long-lived asset. If these or other factors indicate the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable, we determine whether an impairment has occurred through analysis of undiscounted cash flow of the asset at the lowest level that has an identifiable cash flow. If an impairment has occurred, we recognize a loss for the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the asset. We estimate the fair value of the asset using market prices when available or, in the absence of market prices, based on an estimate of discounted cash flows or replacement cost. Cash flows are generally discounted using an interest rate commensurate with a weighted average cost of capital for a similar asset.

Research and Development Expenditures

Research and development expenditures are expensed as incurred.

Environmental Expenditures

Environmental expenditures that relate to the remediation of an existing condition caused by past operations and that do not contribute to future revenues are expensed. Liabilities for these expenditures are recorded when it is probable that obligations have been incurred and costs can be reasonably estimated. Estimates are based on available facts and technology, enacted laws and regulations and our prior experience in remediation of contaminated sites.

Derivatives Financial Instruments

Derivative Financial Instruments

We record derivative instruments on the balance sheet at their fair value as either assets or liabilities. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recorded each period in current earnings or other comprehensive income (loss), depending on whether the derivative is designated as part of a hedge relationship, and if so, the type of hedge.

Foreign Currency

Results of operations for our foreign subsidiaries with functional currencies other than the U.S. dollar are translated using average exchange rates during the period. Assets and liabilities of these foreign subsidiaries are translated using the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet dates, and the resulting translation adjustments are included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, a component of shareholders’ equity.

For our subsidiaries that have a functional currency that differs from the currency of their balances and transactions, inventories, PP&E and other non-monetary assets and liabilities, together with their related elements of expense or income, are remeasured into the functional currency using historical exchange rates. All monetary assets and liabilities are remeasured into the functional currency at current exchange rates. All revenues and expenses are translated into the functional currency at average exchange rates. Remeasurement gains and losses for these subsidiaries are recognized in our results of operations during the period incurred. We had net foreign currency losses, net of gains and losses on foreign currency derivatives (See “Note 15 – Derivative Instruments”), but excluding charges relating to the Venezuelan bolivar fuertes (“bolivar”), the Angolan kwanza, Argentinian peso, Egyptian pound and Kazakhstani tenge as described under the caption “Currency Devaluation and Related Charges,” of $9 million, $53 million and $18 million in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, which are included in “Other Income (Expense), Net” on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Currency Devaluation and Related Charges

Currency devaluation charges are included in current earnings in “Currency Devaluation Charges” on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. In 2016, currency devaluation charges include charges related to the Angolan kwanza of $31 million and the Egyptian pound of $10 million. In 2015, currency devaluations charges of $85 million include charges related to the Angolan kwanza of $39 million, the Venezuelan bolivar of $26 million, the Argentina peso of $11 million and Kazakhstani tenge of $9 million. In 2014, currency charges include $245 million related to the Venezuelan bolivar. The charges were related to our adoption of the SICAD II exchange rate provided by Venezuela’s Supplementary Foreign Currency Administration System approximately of 50 Venezuelan bolivars per U.S. dollar.

Share-Based Compensation

We account for all share-based payment awards, including shares issued under employee stock purchase plans, stock options, restricted shares, restricted share units and performance units by measuring these awards at the date of grant and recognizing the grant date fair value as an expense, net of expected forfeitures, over the service period, which is usually the vesting period.

Income Taxes

Income taxes have been provided based upon the tax laws and rates in the countries in which our operations are conducted and income is earned. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. A valuation allowance for deferred tax assets is recorded when it is more likely than not that some or all of the benefit from the deferred tax asset will not be realized. The impact of an uncertain tax position taken or expected to be taken on an income tax return is recognized in the financial statements at the largest amount that is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by the relevant taxing authority.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized when all of the following criteria have been met: (1) evidence of an arrangement exists; (2) delivery to and acceptance by the customer has occurred; (3) the price to the customer is fixed or determinable; and (4) collectability is reasonably assured.

Our services and products are generally sold based upon purchase orders, contracts or other persuasive evidence of an arrangement with our customers that include fixed or determinable prices but do not generally include right of return provisions or other significant post-delivery obligations. Our products are produced in a standard manufacturing operation, even if produced to our customer’s specifications. Revenue is recognized for products upon delivery and when the customers assume the risks and rewards of ownership. Revenue is recognized for services when they are rendered. Both contract drilling and pipeline service revenue is contractual by nature and generally governed by day-rate based contracts. We recognize revenue for day-rate contracts as the services are rendered.

Up-front payments for preparation and mobilization of equipment and personnel in connection with new drilling contracts are deferred along with any related incremental costs incurred directly related to preparation and mobilization. The deferred revenue and costs are recognized over the primary contract term using the straight-line method. Costs of relocating equipment without contracts are expensed as incurred. Demobilization fees received are recognized, along with any related expenses, upon completion of contracts.

We incur rebillable expenses including shipping and handling, third-party inspection and repairs, and customs costs and duties. We recognize the revenue associated with these rebillable expenses when reimbursed by customers as Product Revenues and all related costs as Cost of Products in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Percentage- of- Completion

Percentage-of-Completion

Revenue from certain long-term construction type contracts is reported based on the percentage-of-completion method of accounting. This method of accounting requires us to calculate contract profit to be recognized in each reporting period for each contract based upon our projections of future outcomes, which include:

•estimates of the available revenue under the contracts;

•estimates of the total cost to complete the project;

•estimates of project schedule and completion date;

•estimates of the extent of progress toward completion; and

•change order amounts or claims included in revenue.

Measurements of progress are based on costs incurred to date as a percentage of total estimated costs or output related to physical progress. At the outset of each contract, we prepare a detailed analysis of our estimated cost to complete the project. Risks related to service delivery, usage, productivity and other factors are considered in the estimation process. We periodically evaluate the estimated costs, claims, change orders and percentage-of-completion at the contract level. The recording of profits and losses on long-term contracts requires an estimate of the total profit or loss over the life of each contract. This estimate requires consideration of total contract value, change orders and claims, less costs incurred and estimated costs to complete. Anticipated losses on contracts are recorded in full in the period in which they become evident. Profits are recorded based upon the total estimated contract profit multiplied by the current estimated percentage complete for the contract. There are many factors that impact future costs, including but not limited to weather, inflation, customer activity levels and budgeting constraints, labor and community disruptions, timely availability of materials, productivity and other factors.

Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per share for all periods presented equals net income divided by the weighted average number of our shares outstanding during the period including participating securities. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of our shares outstanding during the period including participating securities, adjusted for the dilutive effect of our stock options, restricted shares and performance units.

Unvested share-based payment awards and other instruments issued by the Company that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents, whether paid or unpaid, are participating securities and are included in the computation of earnings per share following the two-class method. Accordingly, we include our restricted share awards (“RSA”) and the outstanding warrant, which contain the right to receive dividends, in the computation of both basic and diluted earnings per share when diluted.

New Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting Changes

In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2015-03, Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, which requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability. We adopted ASU 2015-03 in the first quarter of 2016 retrospectively, which reduced Long-term debt and Other non-current assets by $27 million as of December 31, 2015.

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes, which eliminates the current requirement to present deferred tax liabilities and assets as current and noncurrent in a classified balance sheet. We adopted ASU 2015-17 in the fourth quarter of 2016 and have reclassified net current deferred tax assets of $257 million and net current deferred tax liabilities of $33 million into non-current deferred tax asset and liabilities. We adopted ASC 2015-17 prospectively and no prior periods have been restated to conform to the new presentation. The adoption has no effect on net income or cash flows.

Accounting Standards Issued Not Yet Adopted

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory, which eliminates a current exception in U.S. GAAP to the recognition of the income tax effects of temporary differences that result from intra-entity transfers of non-inventory assets. The intra-entity exception is being eliminated under the ASU. The standard is required to be applied on a modified retrospective basis and will be effective beginning with the first quarter of 2018. Early adoption is permitted, and we are evaluating the impact that this new standard will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. ASU 2016-15 provides guidance on the cash flow reporting of certain issues that were either unclear or not addressed under existing U.S. GAAP. The standard requires the retrospective transition method to each period presented and will be effective beginning with the first quarter of 2018, although early adoption is permitted. We are evaluating the impact that ASC 2016-15 will have on our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which requires financial assets measured at amortized cost basis to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The new standard applies to trade receivables and requires expected credit losses to be based on past events, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the instrument’s collectability. The new standard will be effective for us beginning with the first quarter of 2020. Early adoption is permitted in 2019. We are evaluating the impact that this new standard will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which impacts certain aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions. This update provides various transition requirements that include both prospective, modified retrospective and retrospective application guidance. The new standard will be effective for us beginning with the first quarter of 2017. Early adoption is permitted, but it must include all amendments in the same period. We are evaluating the impact that this new standard will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which requires a lessee to recognize a lease asset and lease liability for most leases, including those classified as operating leases under existing GAAP. The ASU also changes the definition of a lease and requires expanded quantitative and qualitative disclosures for both lessees and lessors.

Under ASU 2016-02, we will revise our leasing policies to require most of the leases, where we are the lessee, to be recognized on the balance sheet as a lease asset and lease liability whereas currently we do not recognize operating leases on our balance sheet. Further, we will separate leases from other contracts where we are either the lessor or lessee when the rights conveyed under the contract indicate there is a lease, where we may not be required to do so under existing policies. While we cannot calculate the impact ASU 2016-02 will have on Weatherford’s financial statements, we anticipate that Weatherford’s assets and liabilities will increase by a significant amount.

This standard will be effective for us beginning with the first quarter of 2019. We do not anticipate adopting ASU 2016-02 early, which is permitted under the standard. ASU 2016-02 requires lessees and lessors to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earlies period presented using a modified retrospective transition method but permits certain practical expedients to be applied, which may exclude certain leases that commenced before the effective date.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory, which requires inventory not measured using either the last in, first out (LIFO) or the retail inventory method to be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable cost of completion, disposal, and transportation. The new standard will be effective for us beginning with the first quarter of 2017, and will be applied prospectively. Early adoption is permitted. We do not expect the impact of our adoption to have a material effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in GAAP. ASU 2014-09 will require an entity to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 requires a five-step approach to recognizing revenue: 1) identify the contract, 2) identify performance obligations, 3) determine the transaction price, 4) allocate the transaction price, and 5) recognize revenue. Subsequent to ASU 2014-09’s issuance, Topic 606 has been affected by other FASB updates that address certain aspects or Topic 606 or revised the effective date of the accounting changes.

Under ASU 2014-09, we will revise our revenue recognition policy to require revenue recognition when control passes. This is a change from current policies, which generally require revenue recognition when delivery has occurred and risk and rewards of ownership have passed. Further, we will also begin estimating variable revenues and recognizing them sooner, whereas under current policies such variable revenues were generally not recognized until their collection was determinable. The impact of these and other changes will be to either slow the recognition of revenue in certain situations and to accelerate it in others. The expected impact is not yet determinable. The changes are not expected to have any direct impact to our cash flows.

We intend to adopt ASU 2014-09 as of its effective date in the first quarter 2018. ASU 2014-09 permits two transition methods: the retrospective or the modified retrospective. The retrospective method is applied by restating all prior years whereas the modified retrospective method requires the recognition of a cumulative effect as an adjustment to opening retained earnings. Weatherford is currently evaluating the transition method it will select, but will likely utilize the modified retrospective method.

We have planned and commenced our implementation of ASU 2014-09. We are in the process of assessing differences from current accounting practices (gap analysis). Remaining implementation matters include completing the gap analysis, implementing appropriate technology enhancements, establishing new policies, procedures, and controls, and quantifying any adoption date adjustments.