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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Principles of Consolidation
Principles of Consolidation. The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of EQT Corporation and all subsidiaries, ventures and partnerships in which EQT holds a controlling interest (collectively, EQT or the Company). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Segments
Segments. The Company's operations consist of one reportable segment. The Company has a single, company-wide management team that administers all properties as a whole rather than by discrete operating segments. The Company measures financial performance as a single enterprise and not on an area-by-area basis. Substantially all of the Company's operating revenues, income from operations and assets are generated and located in the United States.
Use of Estimates
Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash Equivalents
Cash Equivalents. The Company considers all highly-liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents and accounts for such investments at cost. Interest earned on cash equivalents is included as a reduction of interest expense.
Accounts Receivable Accounts Receivable. The Company's accounts receivable relates primarily to the sales of natural gas, natural gas liquids (NGLs) and oil and amounts due from joint interest partners.
Property, Plant and Equipment
The Company uses the successful efforts method of accounting for oil and gas producing activities. Under this method, the cost of productive wells and related equipment, development dry holes and productive acreage, including productive mineral interests, are capitalized and depleted using the unit-of-production method. These costs include salaries, benefits and other internal costs directly attributable to production activities. The Company capitalized internal costs of approximately $77 million, $130 million and $115 million in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The Company also capitalized interest expense related to well development of approximately $24 million, $29 million and $21 million in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Depletion expense is calculated based on actual produced sales volumes multiplied by the applicable depletion rate per unit. Depletion rates for leases and wells are each calculated by dividing net capitalized costs by the number of units expected to be produced over the life of the reserves
separately. Costs for exploratory dry holes, exploratory geological and geophysical activities and delay rentals as well as other property carrying costs are charged to exploration expense. The Company's producing oil and gas properties had an overall average depletion rate of $1.01, $1.04 and $1.04 per Mcfe for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

There were no exploratory wells drilled during 2019 and 2018, and there were no capitalized exploratory well costs for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017. During 2017, the Company drilled one exploratory dry hole within its non-core acreage, and the related expenditures were included in exploration expense in the Statement of Consolidated Operations for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Impairment of Long-lived Assets. The carrying values of the Company's proved oil and gas properties are reviewed for impairment when events or circumstances indicate that the remaining carrying value may not be recoverable. To determine whether impairment has occurred, the Company compares estimated expected undiscounted future cash flows from its oil and gas properties to the carrying values of those properties. The estimated future cash flows used in the recoverability test are based on proved and, if determined reasonable by management, risk-adjusted probable reserves and assumptions generally consistent with the assumptions used by the Company for internal planning and budgeting purposes, including, among other things, the intended use of the asset, anticipated production from reserves, future market prices for natural gas, NGLs and oil adjusted for basis differentials, future operating costs and inflation. Proved oil and gas properties that have carrying amounts in excess of estimated future undiscounted cash flows are written down to fair value, which is estimated by discounting the estimated future cash flows using discount rates and other assumptions that marketplace participants would use in their fair value estimates.

During the fourth quarter of 2019, there were indicators that the carrying values of certain of the Company's properties may be impaired due to depressed natural gas prices and changes in the Company's development strategy, including the Company's contemplation of a potential asset divestiture of certain of its non-strategic exploration and production assets. As a result of the 2019 impairment evaluation, the Company recorded total impairment of $1,124.4 million, of which $1,035.7 million was associated with the Company's non-strategic assets located in the Ohio Utica and $88.7 million was associated with the Company's Pennsylvania and West Virginia Utica assets. The impairment was recorded as a reduction to the assets' carrying values to their estimated fair values of approximately $839.4 million with respect to the Company's Ohio Utica assets and approximately $26.8 million with respect to the Company's Pennsylvania and West Virginia Utica assets. The fair value of the impaired assets, as determined at December 31, 2019, was based on significant inputs that are not observable in the market and, as such, are considered a Level 3 fair value measurement. See Note 5 for a description of the fair value hierarchy. Key assumptions included in the calculation of the fair value included the following: (i) reserves, including risk adjustments for probable reserves; (ii) future commodity prices; (iii) to the extent available, market-based indicators of fair value, including estimated proceeds that could be realized upon a potential disposition; (iv) production rates based on the Company's experience with similar properties; (v) future operating and development costs; (vi) inflation and (vii) a market-based weighted average cost of capital.

During 2018, there were indicators that the carrying values of certain of the Company's oil and gas producing properties may be impaired due to the Company's intention to sell its Huron and Permian assets before the end of their useful lives. As a result of the 2018 impairment evaluation, the Company recorded impairment of $2.4 billion associated with the Company's Huron and Permian assets. See Note 7 for discussion of the Huron and Permian assets divestitures. There were no indicators of impairment identified in 2017.

Impairment and Expiration of Leases. Capitalized costs of unproved oil and gas properties are evaluated for recoverability on a prospective basis at least annually. Indicators of potential impairment include changes due to economic factors, potential shifts in business strategy and historical experience. The likelihood of an impairment of unproved oil and gas properties increases as the expiration of a lease term approaches and drilling activity has not commenced. If the Company does not intend to drill on the property prior to expiration of the lease or does not have the intent and ability to extend, renew, trade or sell the lease prior to expiration, impairment expense is recorded. Expense for lease expirations where the lease was not previously impaired is recorded as the lease expires. For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, the Company recorded $556.4 million, $279.7 million and $7.6 million, respectively, for lease impairments and expirations. The Company's unproved properties had a net book value of approximately $3,322 million and $4,166 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Goodwill
Goodwill. Goodwill is the cost of an acquisition less the fair value of the identifiable net assets of the acquired business. At December 31, 2018, the Company had no goodwill. At November 30, 2018, prior to the completion of the 2018 annual goodwill impairment test, the Company's goodwill balance was $530.8 million.

Goodwill is tested for impairment at the Company's single reporting unit level on at least an annual basis or if events or circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of its reporting unit is below its carrying value. The Company considers market capitalization and other valuation techniques, as applicable, when estimating fair value for goodwill impairment testing purposes.
In connection with the 2018 annual goodwill impairment test, the Company identified several qualitative factors that are generally considered when assessing goodwill for impairment, including the steep decline in the Company's stock price through the quarter ended December 31, 2018, the weak market performance of the Company's peers for the same period, the Company's excess capital spend compared to the capital budget announced in October 2018, the recent operational volume curtailments and the Company's strategy to slow the cadence of its future drilling operations to generate near-term free cash flow.

The Company performed the first step of the goodwill impairment test for its single reporting unit as of November 30, 2018. The Company used its market capitalization plus a control premium to estimate fair value for its single reporting unit. Estimated market capitalization was calculated by multiplying the Company's 30-day weighted average stock price and the number of outstanding common stock of the Company (EQT common stock) as of November 30, 2018. The reporting unit's estimated fair value was significantly less than its carrying value and, as such, all of the goodwill was impaired. This impairment charge was classified as a component of operating expenses.
Intangible Assets Intangible Assets. The Company's intangible assets were recorded under the acquisition method of accounting at their estimated fair values at the Rice Merger (defined in Note 8) acquisition date. The Company's intangible assets are composed of non-compete agreements with former Rice Energy Inc. (Rice Energy) executives. The non-compete agreements have a useful life of 3 years. The Company calculates amortization on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the intangible assets.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue Recognition. For information on revenue recognition from contracts with customers and gains and losses on derivative commodity instruments see Notes 3 and 4, respectively.
Unamortized Debt Discount and Issuance Expense
Unamortized Debt Discount and Issuance Expense. Discounts and expenses incurred with the issuance of debt are amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the debt. These amounts are presented as a reduction of senior notes in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 10.

Transportation and Processing
Transportation and Processing. Costs incurred to gather, process and transport gas produced by the Company to market sales points are recorded as transportation and processing costs in the Statements of Consolidated Operations. The Company markets some transportation for resale. These costs, which are not incurred to transport gas produced by the Company, are reflected as a deduction from net marketing services and other revenues.
Income Taxes
Income Taxes. The Company files a consolidated federal income tax return and uses the asset and liability method to account for income taxes. The provision for income taxes represents amounts paid or estimated to be payable net of amounts refunded or estimated to be refunded for the current year and the change in deferred taxes exclusive of amounts recorded in other comprehensive income (OCI). Any refinements to prior year taxes made in the current year due to new information are reflected as adjustments in the current period. Separate income taxes are calculated for income from continuing operations, income from discontinued operations and items charged or credited directly to shareholders' equity.
 
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities arise from temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of the Company's assets and liabilities and are recognized using enacted tax rates for the effect of such temporary differences. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that a portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.
 
In accounting for uncertainty of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return, the Company uses a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement. The recognition threshold requires the Company to determine whether it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. If it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained, the Company measures and recognizes the tax position at the largest amount of benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.
Provision For Doubtful Accounts
Provision for Doubtful Accounts. Reserves for uncollectible accounts are recorded in selling, general and administrative expense in the Statements of Consolidated Operations. Judgment is required to assess the ultimate realization of the Company's accounts receivable. Reserves are based on historical experience, current and expected economic trends and specific information about customer accounts, such as the customer's creditworthiness.
Earnings Per Share (EPS) Earnings Per Share (EPS). Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income attributable to EQT by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is computed by dividing net income attributable to EQT by the weighted average number of common shares and potentially dilutive securities, net of shares assumed to be repurchased using the treasury stock method. Potentially dilutive securities arise from the assumed conversion of outstanding stock options and other share-based awards.
Asset Retirement Obligations
Asset Retirement Obligations. The Company accrues a liability for asset retirement obligations based on an estimate of the timing and amount of settlement. For oil and gas wells, the fair value of the Company's plugging and abandonment obligations is recorded at the time the obligations are incurred, which is typically at the time the wells are spud. Upon initial recognition of an asset retirement obligation, the Company increases the carrying amount of the long-lived asset by the same amount as the liability. Over time, the liabilities are accreted for the change in their present value through charges to depreciation and depletion expense. The initial capitalized costs are depleted over the useful lives of the related assets.

The Company's asset retirement obligations related to the abandonment of oil and gas producing facilities include reclaiming drilling sites, plugging wells and dismantling related structures. Estimates are based on historical experience of plugging and abandoning wells and reclaiming or disposing other assets and estimated remaining lives of the wells and assets.

Self-Insurance
Self-Insurance. The Company is self-insured for certain losses related to workers' compensation and maintains a self-insured retention for general liability, automobile liability, environmental liability and other casualty coverage. The Company maintains stop loss coverage with third-party insurers to limit the total exposure for general liability, automobile liability, environmental liability and workers' compensation. The recorded reserves represent estimates of the ultimate cost of claims incurred as of the balance sheet date. Reserves are estimated based on analyses of historical data and actuarial estimates and are not discounted. The liabilities are reviewed by the Company quarterly and by independent actuaries annually to ensure appropriateness. While the Company believes these estimates are reasonable based on the information available, financial results could be impacted if actual trends, including the severity or frequency of claims, differ from estimates.
Other Postretirement Benefit Plan Other Postretirement Benefits Plan. The Company sponsors a plan for postretirement benefits plan.
Discontinued Operations
Discontinued Operations. For businesses classified as discontinued operations, balance sheet amounts and results of operations are reclassified from their historical presentation to assets and liabilities of discontinued operations in the Consolidated Balance Sheet and discontinued operations on the Statement of Consolidated Operations, respectively. The Statement of Consolidated Cash Flows was not reclassified for discontinued operations. See Note 2.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU 2016-02, Leases. The standard requires entities to record assets and liabilities that arise from operating leases. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, Leases: Targeted Improvements, which provided an optional transition method of adoption that permitted entities to recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. Under the optional transition method, comparative financial information and disclosures are not required. The update also provided transition practical expedients. The standard requires disclosure of the nature, maturity and value of an entity's lease liabilities and elections made by the entity. In March 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-01, Leases: Codification Improvements, which, among other things, clarified interim disclosure requirements in the year of ASU 2016-02 adoption.

The Company adopted ASU 2016-02, ASU 2018-11 and ASU 2019-01 on January 1, 2019 using the optional transition method of adoption. The Company implemented a new lease accounting system to monitor its population of lease contracts. The Company also implemented processes and controls to review both new contracts and modifications to existing contracts that contain or are leases for appropriate accounting treatment and generate disclosures required under the standards. For the disclosures required by the standards, see Note 15.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. This ASU amends guidance on reporting credit losses for assets held at amortized cost basis and available for sale debt securities. For assets held at amortized cost basis, this ASU eliminates the probable initial recognition threshold and requires entities to reflect their current estimate of all expected credit losses. The amendment affects loans, debt securities, trade receivables, net investments in leases, off-balance sheet credit exposures, reinsurance receivables and any other financial assets not excluded from its scope that have a contractual right to receive cash. This ASU will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within that reporting period. The Company plans to adopt this ASU in the first quarter of 2020 and expects this adoption to have no impact on its financial statements. The Company is evaluating the impact this standard will have on its related disclosures.

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Income Statement – Reporting Comprehensive Income: Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. This ASU allows entities to reclassify stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act) from accumulated OCI to retained earnings. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and early adoption is permitted. The reclassification permitted under this ASU should be applied either in the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period or periods in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is recognized. The Company adopted this ASU on January 1, 2019 and reclassified the income tax effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of $0.5 million from accumulated OCI to retained earnings.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement, Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. This ASU modifies the hierarchy associated with Level 1, 2 and 3 fair value measurements and the related disclosure requirements. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and early adoption is permitted. The Company plans to adopt this ASU in the first quarter of 2020 and does not expect this adoption to have a material impact on its financial statements and related disclosures.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes: Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. This ASU simplifies accounting for income taxes by eliminating certain exceptions to ASC 740 related to the general approach for intraperiod tax allocation, methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period and recognition of deferred taxes when there are investment ownership changes. The new guidance also simplifies aspects of accounting for franchise taxes and interim period effects of enacted changes in tax laws or rates. The new guidance provides clarification on accounting for transactions that result in a step-up in the tax basis of goodwill and allocation of consolidated income tax expense to separate financial statements of entities not subject to income tax. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and early adoption is permitted. The Company is evaluating the impact this standard will have on its financial statements and related disclosures.

Subsequent Events
Subsequent Events. The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the date of the financial statement issuance.