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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

We consolidate all wholly owned subsidiaries, controlled joint ventures and variable interest entities where the Company has determined it is the primary beneficiary. At December 31, 2019, we had a variable interest entity related to our subsidiaries in Mexico held in trust during our bankruptcy proceedings. Subsequently, in January 2020, the trust was dissolved. 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, including those related to the adoption of new accounting standards. Prior year net income and shareholders’ deficiency were not affected by these reclassifications. See subsection entitled “New Accounting Pronouncements” for additional details.

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 net realizable value of inventories, equity investments, derivative financial instruments, intangible assets and goodwill, property, plant and equipment (“PP&E”), leases, income taxes, 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.

Fresh Start Accounting Policy [Policy Text Block]

Bankruptcy and Fresh Start Accounting

On July 1, 2019 (the “Petition Date”), Weatherford Ireland, Weatherford International Ltd. (“Weatherford Bermuda”), and Weatherford International, LLC (“Weatherford Delaware”) (collectively, “Weatherford Parties”), filed voluntary petitions under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code (“Bankruptcy Code”) in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas (“Bankruptcy Court”). The Weatherford Parties obtained joint administration of their Chapter 11 cases under the caption In re Weatherford International plc, et al., Case No. 19-33694 (“Cases”). On September 11, 2019 the Plan, as amended, was confirmed by the Bankruptcy Court and on December 13, 2019 (“Effective Date” or “Fresh Start Reporting Date”) after all conditions to effectiveness were satisfied, we emerged from bankruptcy after successfully completing the reorganization pursuant to the Plan.

The Consolidated Financial Statements included herein have been prepared as if we are a going concern and in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic No. 852 – Reorganizations (“ASC 852”).

During bankruptcy we segregated liabilities and obligations whose treatment and satisfaction were dependent on the outcome of the Chapter 11 proceedings and classified these items as “Liabilities Subject to Compromise” with respect to the Predecessor (as defined below) as shown in “Note 3 – Fresh Start Accounting”. In addition, we have classified all income, expenses, gains or losses that were incurred or realized as a result of the Chapter 11 proceedings as “Reorganization Items” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations through the Effective Date.

In accordance with ASC 852, we qualified for and adopted fresh start accounting (“Fresh Start Accounting”) upon emergence from Chapter 11, at which point we became a new entity for financial reporting because (i) the holders of the then existing ordinary shares of the Predecessor company received less than 50% of the new ordinary shares of the Successor company outstanding upon emergence and (ii) the reorganization value of the Company’s assets immediately prior to confirmation of the Plan was less than the total of all post-petition liabilities and allowed claims.

Upon adoption of Fresh Start Accounting as reflected in “Note 3 – Fresh Start Accounting,” the reorganization value derived from the enterprise value associated with the Plan was allocated to the Company’s identifiable tangible and intangible assets and liabilities based on their fair values (except for deferred income taxes), with the remaining excess value allocated to Goodwill in accordance with ASC 805 – Business Combinations. Deferred income tax amounts were determined in accordance with ASC 740 – Income Taxes. The Effective Date fair values of the Company’s assets and liabilities differ materially from their recorded values as reflected on the Predecessor balance sheets.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

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

Restricted Cash

Our restricted cash balance of $182 million as of December 31, 2019 primarily includes cash collateral for certain of our letters of credit facilities and cash escrowed for the payment of bankruptcy professional fees. We had no restricted cash balances as of December 31, 2018.

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. 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. As of December 31, 2019, the Eastern Hemisphere accounted for 53% of our net outstanding accounts receivables and the Western Hemisphere accounted for 47% of our net outstanding accounts receivables. As of December 31, 2019, our net outstanding accounts receivable in the U.S. accounted for 14% of our balance and Mexico accounted for 17% of our balance. No other country accounted for more than 10% of our net outstanding accounts receivables balance. During 2019, 2018 and 2017, no individual customer accounted for more than 10% of our consolidated revenues.

Inventories

Inventory held as of our emergence date was remeasured to fair value. Refer to Note 3 – Fresh Start Accounting for further details.

We value our inventories at the lower of cost or net realizable value 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 net realizable value, we regularly review inventory quantities on hand and maintain reserves for excess, slow moving and obsolete inventory.

Property, Plant and Equipment

PP&E held as of our emergence date was remeasured to fair value. Refer to Note 3 – Fresh Start Accounting for further details.

PP&E, both owned and under finance leases, is carried 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.

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



Major Classes of Property, Plant and Equipment	Predecessor and Future PP&E Estimated Useful Lives
Buildings and leasehold improvements	10 – 40 years or lease term
Rental and service equipment	2 – 15 years (3 – 10 years for assets added after emergence)
Machinery and other	2 – 12 years

Assets Held for Sale

We consider businesses or assets to be held for sale when all of the following criteria are met: (a) management commits to a plan to sell the business or asset; (b) the business or asset is available for immediate sale in its present condition; (c) actions required to complete the sale of the business or asset have been initiated; (d) the sale of the business or asset is probable and we expect the completed sale will occur within one year; (e) the business or asset is actively being marketed for sale at a price that is reasonable given its current fair value; and, (f) it is unlikely that the plan to sell will be significantly modified or withdrawn.

Upon designation as held for sale, we record the carrying value of each business or asset at the lower of its carrying value or its estimated fair value, less estimated costs to sell, and cease recording depreciation. If at any time these criteria are no longer met, subject to certain exceptions, the assets previously classified as held for sale are reclassified as held and used and measured individually at the lower of the following: (a) the carrying amount before being classified as held for sale, adjusted for any depreciation (amortization) expense that would have been recognized had the asset been continuously classified as held and used or (b) the fair value at the date of the subsequent decision not to sell.

Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets held as of our emergence date were remeasured to fair value. Refer to Note 3 – Fresh Start Accounting for further details.

Long-lived assets at recorded at cost and reviewed on a regular basis to determine whether any events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of the assets or asset group 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 or asset group, 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 or asset group may not be recoverable, we determine whether an impairment has occurred through analysis of undiscounted cash flow of the asset or asset group 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 or asset group. We estimate the fair value of the asset or asset group 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.

Goodwill and Indefinite Lived Intangibles Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of consideration paid (or with respect to Fresh Start Accounting, the excess of reorganization value) over the fair value of net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired. 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. We have the option to assess qualitative factors to determine if it is necessary to perform the quantitative 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 it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, we must perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test. We also have the unconditional option to bypass the qualitative assessment at any time and perform the quantitative step. The quantitative step of the goodwill impairment test involves a comparison of the fair value of each of our reporting units with their carrying values. If the carrying value of a reporting unit’s goodwill were to exceed its fair value, goodwill impairment is recognized as the difference to the extent of the goodwill balance.

With respect to the Successor and as a result of Fresh Start Accounting, our newly established identifiable intangible assets included developed technologies and our trade name. With respect to the Predecessor, our identifiable intangible assets were acquired technology, licenses, patents, customer relationships and other identifiable intangible assets. Successor identifiable intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated economic lives generally ranging from 5 to 10 years. 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.

Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Research and Development Expenditures

Research and development expenditures are expensed as incurred.

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 Income (Loss)”, a component of Shareholders’ Equity (Deficiency).

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 record net foreign currency gains and losses on foreign currency derivatives (see “Note 16 – Derivative Instruments”) in “Other Income (Expense), Net” on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. Devaluation charges on foreign currencies when incurred are reported in “Currency Devaluation Charges” on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.

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.

Lessee, Leases [Policy Text Block]

Leases

We lease certain facilities, land, vehicles, and equipment. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less (“short-term leases”) are not recorded on the balance sheet; we recognize lease expense for these leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Beginning January 1, 2019, operating right of use (“ROU”) assets and operating lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term at commencement date. Operating leases in effect prior to January 1, 2019 were recognized at the present value of the remaining payments on the remaining lease term as of January 1, 2019. We determine if an arrangement is classified as a lease at inception of the arrangement. As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate of return, we use our incremental borrowing rate, together with the lease term information available at commencement date of the lease, in determining the present value of lease payments, which is updated on a quarterly basis. For adoption of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) in February 2016 and the series of related updates that followed (collectively referred to as “Topic 842”), we used the December 31, 2018 incremental borrowing rate, for operating leases that commenced prior to December 31, 2018. For certain equipment leases, such as copiers and vehicles, we account for the leases under a portfolio method. Operating lease payments include related options to extend or terminate lease terms that are reasonably certain of being exercised.

Upon emergence from bankruptcy on December 13, 2019, our lease liabilities were remeasured to fair value using the present value of the remaining lease payments as if we acquired new leases. The remeasurement was based on our incremental borrowing rate as of December 13, 2019. Additionally, the ROU assets were revalued based upon the present value of market-based rent. The remeasurement of our ROU assets was based on the market discount rate as of December 13, 2019.

See “Note 4 – New Accounting Pronouncements” and “Note 12 – Leases” for details on the impact of adopting the new leasing guidance.

We lease certain facilities, land, vehicles, and equipment. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less (“short-term leases”) are not recorded on the balance sheet (including short-term sale leaseback transactions); we recognize lease expense for these leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

For adoption of Topic 842 we used the December 31, 2018 incremental borrowing rate, for operating leases that commenced prior to December 31, 2018. We have data center lease agreements with lease and non-lease components which are accounted for separately, while for the remainder of our agreements we have elected the practical expedient to account for lease and non-lease components as a single lease component. For certain equipment leases, such as copiers and vehicles, we account for the leases under a portfolio method. Operating lease payments include related options to extend or terminate lease terms that are reasonably certain of being exercised.

The unmanned equipment that we lease to customers as operating leases consists primarily of drilling rental tools and artificial lift pumping equipment. These equipment rental revenues are generally provided based on call-out work orders that include fixed per unit prices and are derived from short-term contracts. See “Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” and “Note 23 – Revenues” for additional details on our equipment rental revenues.

Disputes, Litigation and Contingencies

We accrue an estimate of costs to resolve certain disputes, legal matters and contingencies when a loss on these matters is deemed probable and reasonably estimable. For matters not deemed probable or not reasonably estimable, we have not accrued any amounts. Our contingent loss estimates are based upon an analysis of potential results, assuming a combination of possible litigation and settlement strategies. The accuracy of these estimates is impacted by the complexity of the associated issues.

Revenue [Policy Text Block]

Revenue Recognition

The majority of our revenue is derived from short term contracts. Subsequent to January 1, 2018, we account for revenue in accordance with ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), and all of the related amendments, collectively referred to as “Topic 606”. Revenues are recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to our customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. As of January 1, 2018, we adopted the Topic 606 revenue recognition guidance and the comparative period information for 2017 has not been adjusted and continues to be reported under the previous revenue standard, the primary accounting policies for which are discussed below.

Our services and products are generally sold based upon purchase orders, contracts or other legally enforceable arrangements with our customers that included 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. Prior to the adoption of Topic 606, revenue was recognized for products when persuasive evidence of an arrangement existed, sales prices were fixed and determinable, title passed to the customer, collectability was reasonably assured, delivery occurred as directed by our customer and when the customer assumed the risks and rewards of ownership. Revenue was 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 recognized revenue for day-rate contracts as the services were rendered. See “Note 23 – Revenues” for details on revenue recognition disclosures.

The unmanned equipment that we lease to customers as operating leases consist primarily of drilling rental tools and artificial lift pumping equipment. These equipment rental revenues are generally provided based on call-out work orders that include fixed per unit prices and are derived from short-term contracts.

Contract Balances

The timing of revenue recognition, billings and cash collections results in billed accounts receivable, contract assets (including unbilled receivables), and customer advances and deposits (contract liabilities classified as deferred revenues). Receivables for products and services with customers, under Topic 606, are included in “Accounts Receivable, Net,” contract assets are included in “Other Current Assets” and contract liabilities are included in “Other Current Liabilities” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Consideration under certain contracts such as turnkey or lump sum contracts may be classified as contract assets as the invoicing occurs once the performance obligations have been satisfied while the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits provided. We also have receivables for work completed but not billed in which the rights to consideration are conditional and would be classified as contract assets. These are primarily related to service contracts and are not material to our Consolidated Financial Statements. We may also have contract liabilities and defer revenues for certain product sales that are not distinct from their installation.

Performance Obligations

A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer and is the unit of account in Topic 606. A contract’s transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied.

Our principal business is to provide equipment and services to the oil and natural gas exploration and production industry, both on land and offshore, through our major product lines: Production, Completions, Drilling and Evaluation, and Well Construction.

Generally, under Topic 606 our revenue is recognized for services over time as the services are rendered and we primarily utilize an output method such as time elapsed or footage drilled which coincides with how customers receive the benefit. Both contract drilling and pipeline service revenue is contractual by nature and generally governed by day-rate based contracts. Revenue is recognized on product sales at a point in time when control passes and is generally upon delivery but is dependent on the terms of the contract.

Our services and products are generally sold based upon purchase orders, contracts or call-out work orders that include fixed per unit prices or variable consideration but do not generally include right of return provisions or other significant post-delivery obligations. We generally bill our sales of services and products upon completion of the performance obligation. Product sales are billed and recognized when control passes to the customer. Our products are produced in a standard manufacturing operation, even

if produced to our customer’s specifications. Revenues are recognized at the amount to which we have the right to invoice for services performed. Our payment terms vary by the type and location of our customer and the products or services offered. The term between invoicing and when payment is due is not significant. For certain products or services and customer types, we require payment before the products or services are delivered to the customer and record as a contract liability. We defer revenue recognition on such payments until the products or services are delivered to the customer.

From time to time, we may enter into bill and hold arrangements. When we enter into these arrangements, we determine if the customer has obtained control of the product by determining (a) the reason for the bill-and-hold arrangement; (b) whether the product is identified separately as belonging to the customer; (c) whether the product is ready for physical transfer to the customer; and (d) whether we are unable to utilize the product or direct it to another customer.

We account for individual products and services separately if they are distinct and the product or service is separately identifiable from other items in the contract and if a customer can benefit from it on its own or with other resources that are readily available to the customer. The consideration, including any discounts, is allocated between separate products and services based on their standalone selling prices. The standalone selling prices are determined based on the prices at which we separately sell our products and services. For items not sold separately (e.g. term software licenses in our Production product line), we estimate standalone selling prices using the adjusted market assessment approach.

Costs of relocating equipment without contracts are expensed as incurred. Demobilization fees received are recognized over the contract period and may be constrained to the amount that it is probable a significant reversal in the fees will not occur. When determining if such variable consideration should be constrained, management considers whether there are factors outside the Company’s control that could result in a significant reversal of revenue as well as the likelihood and magnitude of such a potential reversal.

The nature of our contracts gives rise to several types of variable consideration, including claims and lost-in-hole charges. Our claims are not significant and lost-in-hole charges are constrained variable consideration. We do not estimate revenue associated with these types of variable consideration.

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.

We provide certain assurance warranties on product sales which range from one to five years but do not offer extended warranties on any of our products or services. These assurance warranties are not separate performance obligations thus no portion of the transaction price is allocated to our obligations under the assurance warranties.

Earnings per Share

Earnings (Loss) per Share

Basic earnings (loss) per share for all periods presented equals net income (loss) divided by the weighted average number of our shares outstanding during the period including participating securities. Diluted earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) 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, when applicable.

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 included restricted share awards and the outstanding warrant until it expired on May 21, 2019, which contained the right to receive dividends, in the computation of both basic and diluted earnings per share when dilutive.