Summary Of Major Accounting Policies (Policy)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]

New Accounting Standards. In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers." ASU 2014-09, as amended, completes the joint effort by the FASB and International Accounting Standards Board to improve financial reporting by creating common revenue recognition guidance for U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. ASU 2014-09 applies to all companies that enter into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services. ASU 2014-09 is effective for us for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early application is not permitted before periods beginning after December 15, 2016. We are currently determining the impacts of ASU 2014-09 on our existing contracts. We have formed a project team for this implementation. Our approach includes performing a detailed review of contracts representative of our different businesses and comparing historical accounting policies and practices to the requirements of this update. Because the update will impact our business processes, systems and controls, we are also developing a project plan for the implementation. We have chosen to apply ASU 2014-09 by recognizing the cumulative effect of applying ASU 2014-09 at the date of initial application and not adjusting comparative information. Our evaluation of the requirements of ASU 2014-09 is ongoing and we have not yet determined its impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, "Inventory - Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory." ASU 2015-11 requires companies to measure inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable value rather than at the lower of cost or market. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. This guidance is effective for our inventories beginning January 1, 2017. We do not anticipate that this update will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, "Business Combinations - Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments." This update requires that an acquirer recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. The update requires that the acquirer record, in the same period’s financial statements, the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income effects, if any, as a result of the change to the provisional amounts, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. The update requires an entity to present separately on the face of the income statement or disclose in the notes the portion of the amount recorded in current-period earnings by line item that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustment to the provisional amounts had been recognized as of the acquisition date. ASU 2015-16 became effective for our financial statements January 1, 2016. This update has not had a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, "Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes." Previous GAAP required an entity to separate deferred income tax liabilities and assets into current and noncurrent amounts in a classified statement of financial position. The update requires that deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as noncurrent in a classified statement of financial position. ASU 2015-17 is effective for our financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Earlier application is permitted, and we have adopted this update for our December 31, 2016 balance sheet. This update did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. Prior periods were not retrospectively adjusted.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, "Financial Instruments—Overall (Subtopic 825-10) Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities." This update:


•	requires equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income;


•	simplifies the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values by requiring a qualitative assessment to identify impairment. When a qualitative assessment indicates that impairment exists, an entity is required to measure the investment at fair value;


•	eliminates the requirement to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet;


•	requires entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes;


•	requires an entity to present separately in other comprehensive income the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk when the entity has elected to measure the liability at fair value in accordance with the fair value option for financial instruments;


•	requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset (that is, securities or loans and receivables) on the balance sheet or the accompanying notes to the financial statements; and


•	clarifies that an entity should evaluate the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available-for-sale securities in combination with the entity’s other deferred tax assets.

ASU 2016-01 will be effective for us beginning on January 1, 2018. We are currently assessing the impact of these requirements on our consolidated financial statements and future disclosures.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, "Leases." This update requires reporting entities to separate the lease components from the non-lease components in a contract and recognize lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for substantially all lease arrangements. ASU No. 2016-02 is effective for us beginning January 1, 2019. We are currently evaluating the requirements of ASU 2016-02 and have not yet determined its impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, "Compensation – Stock Compensation Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting." This update requires that all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies (including tax benefits of dividends on share-based payment awards) should be recognized as income tax expense or benefit in the income statement. The tax effects of exercised or vested awards should be treated as discrete items in the reporting period in which they occur. An entity also should recognize excess tax benefits regardless of whether the benefit reduces taxes payable in the current period. Currently, an entity must determine, for each award, whether the difference between the deduction for tax purposes and the compensation cost recognized for financial reporting purposes results in either an excess tax benefit or a tax deficiency. The amendments in this update are effective for us beginning January 1, 2017. Through December 31, 2016, we recognized excess tax benefits in additional paid-in capital, and tax deficiencies have been recognized as an offset to accumulated excess tax benefits. In 2017, we expect a tax deficiency in the first quarter and, under this new standard, we will recognize it as a discrete item in the income statement rather than in additional paid-in capital. We do not anticipate that this update will have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, "Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments." This update was issued to clarify a diversity in practice in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows and addresses eight specific cash flow issues, with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice. One of the items addressed affects how we previously treated cash proceeds received from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies. These proceeds are now classified in our statement of cash flows as cash inflows from investing activities.

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, "Income Taxes (Topic 740) – Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other than Inventory." Current U.S. GAAP generally prohibits the recognition of current and deferred income taxes for an intra-entity asset transfer until the asset has been sold to an outside party. The amendments in this update will eliminate the exception for an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory. Two common examples of assets included within the scope of this update are intellectual property and property, plant and equipment. The exception for an intra-entity transfer of inventory will remain in place. The amendments in this update are effective for us beginning January 1, 2018. We do not anticipate that this update will have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, "Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment." This update simplifies how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Step 2 measures a goodwill impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. Under the amendments in this update, an entity should perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. Additionally, an entity should consider income tax effects from any tax deductible goodwill on the carrying amount of the reporting unit when measuring the goodwill impairment loss, if applicable. An entity still has the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary. The amendments in this update are effective for us beginning January 1, 2020. Early adoption is permitted after January 1, 2017, and the update is to be applied on a prospective basis. We do not anticipate that this update will have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

Treasury Stock [Text Block]

Repurchase Plans. In February 2010, our Board of Directors approved a program to repurchase up to 12 million shares of our common stock. In 2014, we completed the purchase of the shares authorized under that program by repurchasing the remaining 8.9 million shares for $590 million. The total cost for the repurchase of the 12 million shares of our common stock was $677 million.

In December 2014, following completion of the February 2010 program, our Board of Directors approved a new share repurchase program under which we may repurchase up to 10 million shares of our common stock on a discretionary basis. The December 2014 program calls for the repurchases to be made in the open market, or in privately negotiated transactions from time to time, in compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, including Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, subject to market and business conditions, levels of available liquidity, cash requirements for other purposes, applicable legal requirements and other relevant factors. The timing and amount of any repurchases will be determined by management based on its evaluation of these factors. We expect that any shares repurchased under the new program will be held as treasury stock for future use. The new program does not obligate us to repurchase any particular number of shares. Under the new program, we had repurchased 2 million shares of our common stock for $100 million through December 31, 2016. We account for the shares we hold in treasury under the cost method, at average cost.

Principles of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Oceaneering International, Inc. and our 50% or more owned and controlled subsidiaries. We also consolidate entities that are determined to be variable interest entities if we determine that we are the primary beneficiary; otherwise, we account for those entities using the equity method of accounting. We use the equity method to account for our investments in unconsolidated affiliated companies of which we own an equity interest of between 20% and 50% and as to which we have significant influence, but not control, over operations. We use the cost method for all other long-term investments. Investments in entities that we do not consolidate are reflected on our balance sheet in Other non-current assets. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Use Of Estimates

Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("U.S. GAAP") requires that our management make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Reclassifications

Reclassifications. Certain amounts from prior periods have been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents include demand deposits and highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less from the date of investment.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts Receivable – Allowances for Doubtful Accounts. We determine the need for allowances for doubtful accounts using the specific identification method. We do not generally require collateral from our customers.

Inventory

Inventory. Inventory is valued at lower of cost or market. We determine cost using the weighted-average method. During 2016, we recorded inventory write-downs totaling $30.5 million for excess inventory of $25.2 million in our ROV segment and $5.3 million in our Subsea Products segment. In 2015, we recorded inventory write-downs totaling $26.0 million: $15.7 million attributable to remotely operated vehicle components, as we determined the components would not be used as a result of the deterioration in market conditions, and $10.3 million in our Subsea Products segment, primarily the result of our decision to cease manufacturing subsea blow out preventer ("BOP") control systems.

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment and Long-Lived Intangible Assets. We provide for depreciation of property and equipment on the straight-line method over estimated useful lives of eight years for ROVs, three to 20 years for marine services equipment (such as vessels and diving equipment), and three to 25 years for buildings, improvements and other equipment.

Long-lived intangible assets, primarily acquired in connection with business combinations, include trade names, intellectual property and customer relationships and are being amortized with a weighted average remaining life of approximately nine years. Amortization expense on intangible assets was $10.2 million, $7.8 million and $6.6 million in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

We charge the costs of repair and maintenance of property and equipment to operations as incurred, while we capitalize the costs of improvements that extend asset lives or functionality.

We capitalize interest on assets where the construction period is anticipated to be more than three months. We capitalized $3.7 million, $2.4 million and $0.7 million of interest in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. We do not allocate general administrative costs to capital projects. Upon the disposition of property and equipment, the related cost and accumulated depreciation accounts are relieved and any resulting gain or loss is included as an adjustment to cost of services and products.

Our management periodically, and upon the occurrence of a triggering event, reviews the realizability of our property and equipment and long-lived intangible assets to determine whether any events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. For long-lived assets to be held and used, we base our evaluation on impairment indicators such as the nature of the assets, the future economic benefits of the assets, any historical or future profitability measurements and other external market conditions or factors that may be present. If such impairment indicators are present or other factors exist that indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable, we determine whether an impairment has occurred through the use of an undiscounted cash flows analysis of the asset at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows exist. If an impairment has occurred, we recognize a loss for the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the asset. For assets held for sale or disposal, the fair value of the asset is measured using fair market value less cost to sell. Assets are classified as held-for-sale when we have a plan for disposal of certain assets and those assets meet the held for sale criteria.

Business Acquisitions

Business Acquisitions. We account for business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting, with acquisition prices being allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their fair values at the respective dates of acquisition.

We made several smaller acquisitions during the periods presented, none of which were material.

In April 2015, we completed the acquisition of C & C Technologies, Inc. ("C&C"). C&C is a global provider of ocean-bottom mapping services in deepwater utilizing customized autonomous underwater vehicles and provides marine construction surveys for both surface and subsea assets, as well as satellite-based positioning services for drilling rigs and seismic and construction vessels. C&C also provides land and near-shore survey services along the U.S. Gulf Coast and in Mexico, and performs shallow water conventional geophysical surveys in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. The acquisition price of approximately $224 million was paid in cash. We have accounted for this acquisition by allocating the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. Based on the terms of the acquisition agreement, all of our goodwill and other intangible assets associated with the C&C acquisition will be deductible for income tax purposes. We have included C&C's operations in our consolidated financial statements starting from the date of closing, and its operating results are reflected in our Subsea Projects segment. The acquisition of C&C did not have a material effect on our operating results, cash flows from operations or financial position.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill. In our annual evaluation of goodwill impairment, we first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, we determine it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, performing the two-step impairment test is unnecessary. However, if we conclude otherwise, then we are required to perform the first step of the two-step impairment test. We tested the goodwill attributable to each of our reporting units for impairment as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 and concluded that there was no impairment. The only changes in our reporting units' goodwill balances during the periods presented are from business acquisitions, as discussed above, and currency exchange rate changes. For information regarding goodwill by business segment, see Note 7.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition. We recognize our revenue according to the type of contract involved. On a daily basis, we recognize revenue under contracts that provide for specific time, material and equipment charges, which we bill periodically, ranging from weekly to monthly.

We account for significant fixed-price contracts, which we enter into mainly in our Subsea Products segment, and to a lesser extent in our Subsea Projects and Advanced Technologies segments, using the percentage-of-completion method. In 2016, we accounted for 16% of our revenue using the percentage-of-completion method. In determining whether a contract should be accounted for using the percentage-of-completion method, we consider whether:


•	the customer provides specifications for the construction of facilities or production of goods or for the provision of related services;


•	we can reasonably estimate our progress towards completion and our costs;


•	the contract includes provisions as to the enforceable rights regarding the goods or services to be provided, consideration to be received and the manner and terms of payment;


•	the customer can be expected to satisfy its obligations under the contract; and


•	we can be expected to perform our contractual obligations.

Under the percentage-of-completion method, we generally recognize estimated contract revenue based on costs incurred to date as a percentage of total estimated costs. Changes in the expected cost of materials and labor, productivity, scheduling and other factors affect the total estimated costs. Additionally, external factors, including weather or other factors outside of our control, may also affect the progress and estimated cost of a project's completion and, therefore, the timing of income and revenue recognition. We routinely review estimates related to our contracts and reflect revisions to profitability in earnings immediately. If a current estimate of total contract cost indicates an ultimate loss on a contract, we recognize the projected loss in full when we determine it. In prior years, we have recorded adjustments to earnings as a result of revisions to contract estimates. Although we are continually striving to accurately estimate our contract costs and profitability, adjustments to overall contract costs could be significant in future periods.

We recognize the remainder of our revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, price is fixed or determinable and collection is reasonably assured.

Revenue in Excess of Amounts Billed is classified as accounts receivable and relates to recoverable costs and accrued profits on contracts in progress. Billings in Excess of Revenue Recognized on uncompleted contracts are classified in accrued liabilities.

Stock-based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation. We recognize all share-based payments to directors, officers and employees over their vesting periods in the income statement based on their estimated fair values. For more information on our employee benefit plans, see Note 8.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes. We provide income taxes at appropriate tax rates in accordance with our interpretation of the respective tax laws and regulations after review and consultation with our internal tax department, tax advisors and, in some cases, legal counsel in various jurisdictions. We provide for deferred income taxes for differences between carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial and tax reporting purposes. We provide for deferred U.S. income taxes on foreign income only to the extent such income is not indefinitely reinvested in foreign entities. We provide a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that the asset will not be realized.

We recognize the benefit for a tax position if the benefit is more likely than not to be sustainable upon audit by the applicable taxing authority. If this threshold is met, the tax benefit is then measured and recognized at the largest amount that we believe is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. We account for any applicable interest and penalties on uncertain tax positions as a component of our provision for income taxes on our financial statements.

Foreign Currency Translations

Foreign Currency Translation. The functional currency for most of our foreign subsidiaries is the applicable local currency. Results of operations for foreign subsidiaries with functional currencies other than the U.S. dollar are translated into U.S. dollars using average exchange rates during the period. Assets and liabilities of these foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars using the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date, and the resulting translation adjustments are recognized, net of tax, in accumulated other comprehensive income as a component of shareholders' equity. All foreign currency transaction gains and losses are recognized currently in the Consolidated Statements of Income. We recorded $(4.8) million, $(15.4) million and $(0.5) million of foreign currency transaction gains (losses) in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and those amounts are included as a component of Other income (expense), net.

Financial Instruments

Financial Instruments. We recognize all derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities in the balance sheet and measure those instruments at fair value. Subsequent changes in fair value are reflected in current earnings, other comprehensive income or changes in assets or liabilities, depending on whether a derivative instrument is designated as part of a hedge relationship and, if it is, the type of hedge relationship. See Note 6 for information relative to the interest rate swaps we have in effect.