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Asset Retirement Obligations
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012
Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]  
Asset Retirement Obligations
Asset Retirement Obligations
 
Asset retirement obligations (ARO) consist primarily of estimated costs of dismantlement, removal, site reclamation and similar activities associated with our oil and gas properties. Changes in asset retirement obligations were as follows: 
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
(millions)
 
 
 
Asset Retirement Obligations, Beginning Balance
$
377

 
$
253

Liabilities Incurred
23

 
1

Liabilities Settled
(2
)
 
(12
)
Revision of Estimate
20

 
6

Accretion Expense
14

 
10

Other
(89
)
 

Asset Retirement Obligations, Ending Balance
$
343

 
$
258



Liabilities incurred in 2012 relate primarily to wells drilled offshore Israel and include costs to abandon the Leviathan-2 appraisal well. See Note 2. Basis of Presentation. Revisions relate primarily to changes in estimated costs for future abandonment activities in China. Other includes ARO liabilities associated with North Sea properties held for sale. North Sea ARO liabilities have been included within liabilities associated with assets held for sale. See Note 3. Acquisitions and Divestitures.

Liabilities settled in 2011 related primarily to deepwater Gulf of Mexico and Gulf of Mexico shelf properties.
 
Accretion expense is included in DD&A expense in the consolidated statements of operations.