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Capitalized Exploratory Well Costs and Undeveloped Leasehold Costs (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
Capitalized Exploratory Well Costs [Abstract]  
Changes in Capitalized Exploratory Well Costs
Changes in capitalized exploratory well costs, excluding amounts that were capitalized and subsequently expensed in the same period, are as follows:
 
Year Ended December 31,
(millions)
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Capitalized Exploratory Well Costs, Beginning of Period
$
354

 
$
520

 
$
768

Additions to Capitalized Exploratory Well Costs Pending Determination of Proved Reserves
26

 
7

 
20

Divestitures (1)
—

 
(168
)
 
—

Reclassified to Proved Oil and Gas Properties, Based on Determination of Proved Reserves, or to Assets Held for Sale (2)
—

 
(1
)
 
(203
)
Capitalized Exploratory Well Costs Charged to Expense (3)
(100
)
 
(4
)
 
(65
)
Capitalized Exploratory Well Costs, End of Period
$
280

 
$
354

 
$
520


(1) 
The 2018 amount relates to the second quarter 2018 sale of our Gulf of Mexico assets.
(2) 
The 2017 amount relates to the approval and sanction of the first phase of development of the Leviathan field.
(3) 
In fourth quarter 2019, we recorded exploration expense of $100 million related to the Leviathan Deep prospect, offshore Israel, which was initially drilled in 2012 but did not reach the target interval. Throughout this time, we have evaluated seismic information and nearby discoveries in the region. Upon concluding we would not move forward with the project, we wrote off the entire amount of capitalized exploratory well costs associated with this prospect. The 2017 amount relates to a write-off of costs for a natural gas discovery in the Gulf of Mexico. See Note 10. Impairments.
Aging of Capitalized Well Costs
The following table provides an aging of capitalized exploratory well costs based on the date that drilling commenced:
 
December 31,
(millions, except number of projects)
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Exploratory Well Costs Capitalized for a Period of One Year or Less
$
22

 
$
6

 
$
10

Exploratory Well Costs Capitalized for a Period Greater Than One Year Since Commencement of Drilling
258

 
348

 
510

Balance at End of Period
$
280

 
$
354

 
$
520

Number of Projects with Exploratory Well Costs That Have Been Capitalized for a Period Greater Than One Year Since Commencement of Drilling
5

 
7

 
8
Aging of Exploratory Well Costs
The following table provides a further aging of those exploratory well costs that have been capitalized for a period greater than one year since the commencement of drilling as of December 31, 2019:
 
 
 
Suspended Since
 
 
(millions)
Total
 
2017 - 2018
 
2015 - 2016
 
2014 & Prior
 
Progress
Offshore Eastern Mediterranean
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dalit (Offshore Israel)
$
23

 
$
(9
)
 
$
3

 
$
29

 
Our future development plan for this 2008 natural gas discovery, consisting of a tie-in to existing infrastructure at Tamar, was approved by the Government of Israel in 2019. During 2019, we continued analyzing 3D seismic data to evaluate additional potential of the area.
Cyprus (Offshore Cyprus)
100

 
3

 
15

 
82

 
During 2019, we received approval of our Plan of Development and Exploitation License from the Government of Cyprus. We continued to progress capital project cost improvement and regional natural gas marketing efforts.
Offshore West Africa
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Felicita (Block O, Offshore Equatorial Guinea)
49

 
2

 
4

 
43

 
We are in the process of evaluating regional development scenarios for this 2008 natural gas discovery. The recent sanction of the Alen Gas Monetization project, which represents the initial step in establishing a regional natural gas hub, expands the options for development of this discovery through existing infrastructure.
YoYo (YoYo Block, Offshore Cameroon) and Yolanda (Block I, Offshore Equatorial Guinea)
80

 
2

 
5

 
73

 
A data exchange agreement for these 2007 condensate and natural gas discoveries has been executed between the governments of Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon. Our development team is working with both governments to evaluate natural gas monetization options. The recent sanction of the Alen Gas Monetization project, which represents the initial step in establishing a regional natural gas hub, expands the options for development of this discovery through existing infrastructure.
Other
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
Projects less than $20 million
6

 
(1
)
 
(10
)
 
17

 
Continuing to assess and evaluate wells.
Total
$
258

 
$
(3
)
 
$
17

 
$
244

 
 
Rollforward Of Undeveloped Lease Costs Changes in undeveloped leasehold costs, which are recorded in oil and gas properties on our consolidated balance sheets, were as follows:
 
Year Ended December 31,
(millions)
2019
 
2018
Undeveloped Leasehold Costs, Beginning of Period
$
2,373

 
$
2,922

Additions to Undeveloped Leasehold Costs
59

 
47

Transfers to Proved Properties (1)
(184
)
 
(453
)
Assets Sold (2)
(96
)
 
(142
)
Impairment
—

 
(1
)
Undeveloped Leasehold Costs, End of Period
$
2,152

 
$
2,373

(1) 
Transfers primarily relate to development of Delaware Basin assets.
(2) 
Amounts primarily relate to Delaware Basin assets sold. See Note 4. Acquisitions and Divestitures.