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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
Organization and Nature of Operations
 
Weatherford International plc (“Weatherford Ireland”), an Irish public limited company, together with its subsidiaries (“Weatherford,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our”), is a multinational oilfield service company. Weatherford is one of the world’s leading providers of equipment and services used in the drilling, evaluation, completion, production and intervention of oil and natural gas wells. We operate in over 75 countries and have service and sales locations in oil and natural gas producing regions globally. Many of our businesses, including those of our predecessor companies, have been operating for more than 50 years.

The authorized share capital of Weatherford includes 1.356 billion ordinary shares with a par value of $0.001 per share. The delisting of our ordinary shares from the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) became effective on April 27, 2020. Our ordinary shares were deregistered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act on July 16, 2020. We continue to evaluate listing options and intend to relist our ordinary shares when our Board of Directors determines market conditions are appropriate. The Company intends to continue filing periodic reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on a voluntary basis. Our ordinary shares trade on the OTC Pink Marketplace under the ticker symbol “WFTLF”.

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC for annual financial information. We consolidate all wholly owned subsidiaries and controlled joint ventures. 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 (loss) and shareholders’ equity (deficiency) were not affected by these reclassifications.

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 allowance for credit losses, inventory valuation reserves, recoverability of long-lived assets, valuation of goodwill, useful lives used in depreciation and amortization, income taxes and related valuation allowance, accruals for contingencies, actuarial assumptions to determine costs and liabilities related to employee benefit plans, 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.

For information about our use of estimates relating to Fresh Start Accounting, refer to Note 3 – Fresh Start Accounting for further details.

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”). 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.
During bankruptcy in 2019 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 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 2019 Consolidated Statements of Operations through the Effective Date.

In accordance with ASC 852, we qualified for and adopted fresh start accounting (“Fresh Start Accounting”) on the Fresh Start Reporting Date, 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 estimated 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.

References to “Predecessor” relate to the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the period from January 1, 2019 through and including the adjustments from the application of Fresh Start Accounting on December 13, 2019 and for the year ended December 31, 2018 (“Predecessor Periods”). References to “Successor” relate to the Consolidated Balance Sheets of the reorganized Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 and Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2020 and for the period from December 14, 2019 through December 31, 2019 (“Successor Periods”) and are not comparable to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Predecessor as indicated by the “black line” division in the financials and footnote tables, which emphasizes the lack of comparability between amounts presented. In addition, “Note 3 – Fresh Start Accounting” provides a summary of the Predecessor Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 13, 2019 in the first column, and then presents adjustments to reflect the Plan and fresh start impacts to derive the opening Successor Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 13, 2019. The Company’s financial results for periods following the application of Fresh Start Accounting will be different from historical trends and the differences may be material.

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 $167 million at December 31, 2020 and $182 million at December 31, 2019 primarily includes cash collateral for certain of our letters of credit facilities. At December 31, 2019, restricted cash also included cash escrowed for the payment of bankruptcy professional fees.

Allowance for Credit Losses on Accounts Receivables

We establish an allowance for credit losses based on various factors to include historical experience, current conditions and environments in which our customers operate, the aging status and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Our customer base has generally similar collectability risk characteristics, although risk profiles can vary between larger independent customers and state-owned customers, which may have a lower risk than smaller independent customers. Provisions for credit losses are recorded based on estimated losses 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 periodic credit evaluations of our customers and do not generally require collateral in support of our trade receivables. We maintain allowances for 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 may result in a concentration of receivables from such companies.

As of December 31, 2020, the Eastern and Western Hemisphere accounted for 54% and 46%, respectively, of our total net outstanding accounts receivable on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2020, accounts receivable in Mexico and the U.S. accounted for 23% and 12%, respectively, of our total net outstanding account receivables. No other country accounted for more than 10% of our net outstanding accounts receivables balance. For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, no individual customer accounted for more than 10% of our consolidated revenues.

Inventories

We state 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. To maintain a carrying value that is the lower of cost or net realizable value, we regularly review inventory quantities on hand and compare to estimates of future product demand, market conditions, our production requirements, and technological developments. We maintain reserves for excess, slow moving and obsolete inventory and we may periodically recognize additional charges for inventory in which we determine there is no forecasted demand.

Inventory held as of our 2019 emergence date was remeasured to fair value. Refer to Note 3 – Fresh Start Accounting for further details.

Property, Plant and Equipment (“PP&E”)

PP&E, both owned and under finance leases, is initially stated at cost and depreciated over its estimated life. Subsequently, PP&E is measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. 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 EquipmentPP&E Estimated Useful Lives
Buildings and leasehold improvements
10 – 40 years or lease term
Rental and service equipment
3 – 10 years
Machinery and other
2 – 12 years

PP&E held as of our 2019 emergence date was remeasured to fair value and new estimated useful lives were determined. Refer to Note 3 – Fresh Start Accounting for further details.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of consideration paid (or with respect to our 2019 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. When we have recognized goodwill on our consolidated balance sheet, we performed an impairment test for goodwill annually as of October 1 or more frequently whenever events and changes in the circumstances indicates that the carrying value of a reporting unit might exceed its fair value. The quantitative step of the goodwill impairment test involves a comparison of the fair value of each of our reporting units that have goodwill assigned with their carrying values. If the carrying value of a reporting unit’s goodwill were to exceed its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.

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. Successor identifiable intangible assets are being amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated economic lives generally ranging from five 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.

Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets consisting of PP&E, intangible assets, and operating lease right-of-use assets are initially recorded at cost and reviewed whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset 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 are present, the Company performs an undiscounted cash flow analysis to identify if the asset or asset group may not be recoverable. A fair value assessment is performed on assets or asset groups identified as not being recoverable using a discounted cash flow analysis to determine if an impairment has occurred. 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.

Long-lived assets held as of our 2019 emergence date were remeasured to fair value. Refer to Note 3 – Fresh Start Accounting for further details.

Research and Development Expenditures

Research and development expenditures are expensed as incurred.

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.

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”) and currency devaluation charges, when incurred, in “Other Income (Expense), Net” on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Share-Based Compensation

We account for all share-based payment awards, including shares issued under 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

We account for taxes under the asset and liability method. 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.

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.

Effective January 1, 2019, we adopted ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). Upon adoption, 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 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.

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 Recognition

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. The majority of our revenue is derived from short term contracts. 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.

The unmanned equipment that we lease to customers under 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. We include revenue from these leases within “Services Revenue” on our Consolidated Statement of Operations.

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 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 on service contracts but not billed in which the rights to consideration are conditional and would be classified as contract assets. 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. A contract’s transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied.

Generally, 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. 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 Completion and Production product line), we estimate standalone selling prices using the adjusted market assessment approach. Costs of relocating equipment without contracts are expensed as incurred.


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.

Under certain contracts, we may incur rebillable expenses including shipping and handling, third-party inspection and repairs, and customs costs and duties. If reimbursable by customers we recognize the revenue associated with these rebillable expenses 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 these warranties.

Earnings (Loss) per Share

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