UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2018

OR

For the transition period from                      to                      

Commission File No. 001-08430

 

McDERMOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (281) 870-5000

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ☑    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ☑    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.    ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes ☐    No   ☑

The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding at April 20, 2018 was 285,899,713.

 

 

 

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

McDERMOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC.

INDEX—FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

 

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CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

PART I: Item 1—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

 

 

 

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CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

 

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CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

 

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CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

 

 

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CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 1—BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of Operations

McDermott International, Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Panama in 1959, is a leading provider of integrated engineering, procurement, construction and installation (“EPCI”), front-end engineering and design (“FEED”) and module fabrication services for upstream field developments worldwide.  We deliver fixed and floating production facilities, pipeline installations and subsea systems from concept to commissioning for complex offshore and subsea oil and gas projects. Operating in approximately 20 countries across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia, our integrated resources include a diversified fleet of marine vessels, fabrication facilities and engineering offices. We support our activities with comprehensive project management and procurement services, while utilizing our fully integrated capabilities in both shallow water and deepwater construction. Our customers include national, major integrated and other oil and gas companies, and we operate in most major offshore oil and gas producing regions throughout the world. We execute our contracts through a variety of methods, principally fixed-price, but also including cost reimbursable, cost-plus, day-rate and unit-rate basis or some combination of those methods. In these Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements, unless the context otherwise indicates, “we,” “us” and “our” mean McDermott International, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements are unaudited and have been prepared from our books and records in accordance with Rule 10-1 of Regulation S-X for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) for complete financial statements. In the opinion of our management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results of operations for a full year. These Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 21, 2018 (the “2017 Form 10-K”).

Classification

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified for consistency with the current year presentation. Previously reported Consolidated Financial Statements have been adjusted to reflect those changes.

Recently Issued and Adopted Accounting Guidance

Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC Topic 606)—In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued a new standard related to revenue recognition which supersedes most of the existing revenue recognition requirements in U.S. GAAP and requires entities to recognize revenue at an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring goods or services to a customer. It also requires significantly expanded disclosures regarding the qualitative and quantitative information of an entity’s nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers.

The FASB has issued several amendments to the standard, including clarification on accounting for licenses of intellectual property, identifying performance obligations, reporting gross versus net revenue and narrow-scope revisions and practical expedients.

Adoption—We adopted the new standard on January 1, 2018 (the “initial application” date):

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Significant changes to our accounting policies as a result of adopting of the new standard are discussed below:

Revenue Recognition

Contracts―Our revenue is typically derived from long-term contracts that can span several years. We determine the appropriate accounting treatment for each of our contracts with customers before work on the project begins. We generally recognize contract revenues and related costs over-time.

Performance Obligation Satisfied Over Time―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 in ASC Topic 606. A contract’s transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied. Our performance obligations are generally satisfied over time as work progresses because of continuous transfer of control to the customer. For contracts with multiple performance obligations, we allocate the contract’s transaction price to each performance obligation using our best estimate of the stand-alone selling price of each distinct good or service in the contract.

Method to Measure Progress—We measure transfer of control utilizing an input method to measure progress for individual contracts or combinations of contracts based on the cost incurred to total cost of materials, labor, equipment and vessel operating costs and other costs as applicable to each contract. These costs, once incurred, are considered a measure of progress and are expensed in the period in which they are incurred. Costs incurred prior to a project award, are generally expensed during the period in which they are incurred.

Total estimated project costs and resulting contract income are affected by changes in the expected cost of materials and labor, productivity, vessel costs, scheduling and other factors. Additionally, external factors such as weather, customer requirements and other factors outside of our control may affect the progress and estimated cost of a project’s completion and, therefore, the timing and amount of revenue and income recognition.  Changes in total estimated contract cost and losses, if any, are recognized in the period they are determined.

Performance Obligation Satisfied at a Point-in-Time Method—Contracts with performance obligations that do not meet the criteria to be recognized over time are required to be recognized “at a point-in-time”, whereby revenue and gross profit is recognized only when a performance obligation is complete and a customer has obtained control of a promised asset. For contracts with revenues recognized at a point-in-time, we consider physical possession of the asset, legal transfer of title, significant risk rewards of ownership, customer acceptance and our rights to payment in determining when a performance obligation is complete.

Remaining Performance Obligations (“RPOs”)―RPOs represent the dollar amount of revenues we expect to recognize in the future from contracts that are in progress. These amounts are presented in U.S. dollars. Currency risks associated with RPOs that are not mitigated within the contracts are generally mitigated with the use of foreign currency derivative (hedging) instruments, when deemed significant. However, these actions may not eliminate all currency risk exposure included within our long-term contracts. We do not include expected revenues of contracts related to unconsolidated joint ventures in our RPOs, except to the extent of any contract awards we receive from those joint ventures.

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

RPOs may not be indicative of future operating results, and projects included in RPOs may be cancelled, modified or otherwise altered by customers.

Variable Consideration―The nature of our contracts gives rise to several types of variable consideration, including unpriced change orders, claims, bonuses, incentive fees and liquidated damages or penalties. We estimate variable consideration based on the most likely amount to which we expect to be entitled. We include variable consideration in the estimated transaction price to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur or when we conclude that any significant uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is resolved. Our estimates of variable consideration and determination of whether to include estimated amounts in the transaction price are based largely on an assessment of our anticipated performance and all information (historical, current and forecasted) that is reasonably available to us. The effect of changes in our estimates of variable consideration on the transaction price is recognized as an adjustment to revenues (either as an increase in or a reduction of revenues) on a cumulative catch-up basis.

Change orders that may not be approved by the customer until the later stages of a contract or subsequent to the date a project is completed could significantly affect gross profit on a contract. Revenues from unapproved change orders are generally recognized to the extent of the amounts we expect to recover, consistent with our Variable Consideration policy discussed above. If it is probable that a reversal of revenues will occur, the costs attributable to change orders are treated as contract costs without incremental revenues. To the extent change orders included in the price are not resolved in our favor, there could be reductions in, or reversals of previously reported amounts of, revenues and profits, and charges against current earnings, which could be material.

Warranties―Our contracts include assurance-type warranties that our performance is free from material defect and consistent with the specifications of our contracts, which do not give rise to a separate performance obligation.

Adoption of the new revenue standard resulted in changes to the timing of revenue recognition and in the reclassification between financial statement line items. See Note 3, Revenue Recognition, for further discussion.

Pension and Postretirement Benefits—In March 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2017-07, Compensation—Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit. This ASU requires bifurcation of certain components of net pension and postretirement benefit cost in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. We adopted this ASU effective as of January 1, 2018. As a result, benefit costs, excluding service costs component, previously included in Selling, general and administrate expenses, are now included in Other non-operating income (expense), net in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. All comparable periods presented have been retrospectively revised to reflect this change.

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Accounting Guidance Issued But Not Adopted as of March 31, 2018

Financial Instruments—In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. This ASU will require a financial asset measured at amortized cost basis to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. A valuation account, allowance for credit losses, will be deducted from the amortized cost basis of the financial asset to present the net carrying value at the amount expected to be collected on the financial asset. This ASU is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. We are currently assessing the impact of this guidance on our future Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures.

Leases—In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The ASU will require entities that lease assets—referred to as “lessees”—to recognize on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by leases with lease terms of more than 12 months. Consistent with current U.S. GAAP, the recognition, measurement and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease by a lessee primarily will depend on its classification as a finance or operating lease. However, unlike current U.S. GAAP—which requires only capital leases to be recognized on the balance sheet—the new ASU will require both types of leases to be recognized on the balance sheet. This ASU is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently assessing the impact of this ASU on our future Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures.

NOTE 2—BUSINESS COMBINATION AGREEMENT WITH CHICAGO BRIDGE & IRON COMPANY N.V. (“CB&I”)

On December 18, 2017, McDermott International, Inc. (“McDermott”), Chicago Bridge & Iron Company N.V. (“CB&I”) and certain of their respective subsidiaries entered into a Business Combination Agreement (as amended, the “Business Combination Agreement”) pursuant to which CB&I and McDermott have agreed to combine their businesses through a series of transactions (the “Combination”). The Business Combination Agreement has been approved by the McDermott Board, the Management Board of CB&I and the Supervisory Board of CB&I.

Upon completion of the Combination, McDermott stockholders will own approximately 53 percent of the combined business on a fully diluted basis and CB&I shareholders will own approximately 47 percent. Under the terms of the Business Combination Agreement, we will exchange all issued and outstanding shares of CB&I common stock for shares of McDermott common stock at the exchange ratio described below. As a result CB&I shareholders will be entitled to receive 2.47221 shares of McDermott Common Stock for each share of CB&I Common Stock owned (or 0.82407 shares if McDermott effects a proposed three-to-one reverse stock split prior to the closing of the Combination), together with cash in lieu of fractional shares.

The Combination would be accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with Accounting Standards Codifications (“ASC”) Topic 805, Business Combinations.  McDermott would be considered the accounting acquirer based on the following facts: (1) upon completion of the Combination, McDermott’s stockholders will own approximately 53 percent of the combined business on a fully diluted basis; (2) a group of McDermott’s current directors, including Chairman of the Board, will constitute a majority of the Board of Directors; and (3) McDermott’s current President and Chief Executive Officer and current Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer will continue in those roles following the closing of the Combination. CB&I’s President and Chief Executive Officer will remain with the combined business for a transition period.

In connection with the Business Combination Agreement, we entered into or received commitment letters (including the exhibits and other attachments thereto, and together with any amendments, modifications or supplements thereto, the “Commitment Letters”) from certain financial institutions to provide debt financing for the Combination.  Pursuant to the Commitment Letters, as amended and restated through the date of this report, we expect the following financing arrangements to be reflected in a new credit agreement to be entered into by certain of our subsidiaries (the “Borrowers”) on or before the closing of the Combination (the “New Credit Agreement”):

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

In addition, on April 18, 2018, McDermott Escrow 1, Inc. and McDermott Escrow 2, Inc. (together, the “Escrow Issuers”) completed the previously announced offering of $1.3 billion in aggregate principal amount of 10.625% senior unsecured notes due 2024 (the “2024 Notes”).  The Escrow Issuers represent variable interest entities which will be consolidated by McDermott International, Inc. beginning in the second quarter of 2018. The 2024 Notes were offered to qualified institutional buyers in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and to certain non-U.S. persons in transactions outside the United States in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act.  The 2024 Notes were issued pursuant to an Indenture, dated April 18, 2018 (the “Indenture”), by and among the Escrow Issuers and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee.  The 2024 Notes are scheduled to mature on May 1, 2024.

Pursuant to an escrow agreement (the “Escrow Agreement”), by and among the Escrow Issuers and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as escrow agent (the “Escrow Agent”), the proceeds of the offering of the 2024 Notes, together with approximately $28 million, to provide funds sufficient to pay interest on the 2024 Notes through June 29, 2018, were deposited into a segregated escrow account with the Escrow Agent.  The funds will remain in escrow until the date on which certain escrow conditions are satisfied and the escrow proceeds are released (the “Escrow Conditions”).  Concurrent with the satisfaction of the Escrow Conditions, the Escrow Issuers will merge with and into McDermott Technology (Americas), Inc. (“McDermott Technology (Americas)”) and McDermott Technology (US), Inc. (together with McDermott Technology (Americas), the “Post-Merger Co-Issuers”), with each Post-Merger Co-Issuer being a surviving entity that will assume, by operation of law, the obligations of the applicable Escrow Issuer under the 2024 Notes.  Each of the Post-Merger Co-Issuers is a wholly owned subsidiary of McDermott International, Inc.

The 2024 Notes will be subject to a special mandatory redemption at a redemption price equal to 100% of the initial issue price of the 2024 Notes plus accrued interest to, but not including, the redemption date if the Escrow Conditions are not satisfied or the Escrow Issuers determine in their discretion that the Escrow Conditions are incapable of being satisfied on or prior to June 29, 2018.

The proceeds of the offering of the 2024 Notes and loans under the New Credit Agreement are intended to be used: (a) on the closing date for the Combination (the “Effective Date”) to (1) consummate the Combination, including the repayment of certain existing indebtedness of CBI and its subsidiaries, (2) redeem Outstanding Senior Secured Notes, (3) prepay existing indebtedness under, and to terminate in full, the Current Credit Agreement (as defined in Note 8, Debt), and (4) pay fees and expenses in connection with the Combination, the New Credit Agreement and the issuance of the 2024 Notes; and (b) for working capital and other general corporate purposes.  On the Effective Date, certain existing letters of credit outstanding under the Current Credit Agreement and certain existing letters of credit outstanding under CBI’s existing credit facilities will be deemed issued under the New Credit Agreement, and letters of credit will be issued under the New Credit Agreement to backstop certain other existing letters of credit issued for the account of McDermott International, Inc., CBI and their respective subsidiaries and affiliates.  

The Revolving Facility and the LC Facility are expected to mature on the fifth annual anniversary of the Effective Date.  The Term Facility is expected to mature on the seventh annual anniversary of the Effective Date, unless on the date that is six months prior to the scheduled maturity date of the 2024 Notes, more than $350 million of the 2024 Notes are outstanding and our secured leverage ratio (as defined in the New Credit Agreement) is greater than or equal to 1.00 to 1.00, in which case the Term Facility will mature on such date.  

From and after the Effective Date the indebtedness and other obligations under the New Credit Agreement, the 2024 Notes and the Indenture will be unconditionally guaranteed on a senior secured basis by McDermott International, Inc. and substantially all of its wholly owned subsidiaries, including wholly owned subsidiaries resulting from the consummation of the Combination (collectively, the “Guarantors”), other than its captive insurance subsidiary and certain other designated or immaterial subsidiaries. From and after the Effective Date, the obligations under the New Credit Agreement will be secured by first-priority liens on substantially all of the Borrowers’ and the Guarantors’ assets.

The New Credit Agreement is expected to include provisions for mandatory commitment reductions and prepayments in connection with, among other events and circumstances, certain asset sales and casualty events.  In addition, we will be required to make an annual prepayment of term loans under the Term Facility and thereafter cash collateralize letters of credit issued under the Revolving Facility and the LC Facility with 75% of excess cash flow (as defined in the New Credit Agreement), reducing to 50% of excess cash flow and 25% of excess cash flow depending on our secured leverage ratio.  The New Credit Agreement is expected to require the Borrowers to prepay the term loans made under the Term Facility on the last day of each fiscal quarter in an amount equal to approximately $6 million.  The New Credit Agreement is expected to otherwise only require periodic interest payments until maturity.  

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Revolving loans under the Revolving Facility are expected to bear interest at the Borrowers’ option at either the Eurodollar rate (as defined in the New Credit Agreement) plus a margin ranging from 3.75% to 4.25% per year or the base rate (the highest of the Federal Funds rate plus 0.50%, the 30-day Eurodollar rate plus 1.0%, or the administrative agent’s prime rate) plus a margin ranging from 2.75% to 3.25% per year. The applicable margin will vary depending on our leverage ratio (as defined in the New Credit Agreement).  Term loans under the Term Facility are expected to bear interest at the Borrowers’ option at either the Eurodollar rate plus a margin of 5.00% per year or the base rate plus a margin of 4.00%, subject to a 1.0% floor with respect to the Eurodollar rate.  The Borrowers are expected to be charged a commitment fee of 0.50% per year on the daily amount of the unused portions of the commitments under the Revolving Facility and the LC Facility.  Additionally, with respect to all letters of credit outstanding under the New Credit Agreement, the Borrowers are expected to be charged a fronting fee of 0.25% per year and, with respect to all letters of credit outstanding under the New Credit Agreement, a participation fee of (1) between 3.75% to 4.25% per year in respect of financial letters of credit and (2) between 1.875% to 2.125% per year in respect of performance letters of credit, in each case depending on our leverage ratio. The Borrowers are also expected to be required to pay customary issuance fees and other fees and expenses in connection with the issuance of letters of credit under the New Credit Agreement.  On the Effective Date, we will be required to pay upfront fees, ticking fees, commitment fees, arrangement fees and other fees to certain lenders, arrangers and agents of the New Credit Agreement.

The New Credit Agreement is expected to include the following financial covenants that will be tested on a quarterly basis, commencing September 30, 2018:

In addition, the New Credit Agreement and the Indenture contain various covenants that, among other restrictions, will limit the ability of McDermott International, Inc. and each of its restricted subsidiaries to:

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

The Indenture contains, and the New Credit Agreement is expected to contain, provisions relating to events of default that we believe are customary for similar financing arrangements.

During the first quarter of 2018, $11 million of costs associated with the Combination were expensed as incurred and were reported in Other operating (income) (expense) in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Those costs included advisors’ professional fees and integration costs related to the Combination.

 

NOTE 3—REVENUE RECOGNITION

Effect of ASC Topic 606 Adoption―The cumulative effect of adopting ASC 606 due to change in method to measure project progress, as discussed in Note 1, Basis Of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies, is as follows:

⁽¹⁾ Includes $20 million of cumulative catch-up adjustment to opening Retained earnings (Accumulated deficit) on January 1, 2018, upon adoption of ASC 606.

Remaining performance obligations (“RPOs”)―Our RPOs are generally satisfied over time as work progresses under our contracts with customers. As of March 31, 2018, we had $3.4 billion of RPOs. The following table summarizes changes to our RPOs (in thousands):

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Our RPOs by segment were as follows:

Of the March 31, 2018 RPOs, we expect to recognize revenues as follows:

Contract types―We execute our contracts using a variety of pricing models, including fixed-price, unit-basis, cost-plus, or some combination of those methods, with fixed-price being the most prevalent. Additional detail regarding our revenues by contract types is disclosed in Note 16, Segment Reporting.

Change orders—As of March 31, 2018 and 2017, variable consideration associated with unapproved change orders that have been included in transaction prices aggregated to approximately $110 million and $118 million, of which approximately $8 million and $12 million were included in RPOs, respectively.

Claims Revenue―As of March 31, 2018, there were no material claims revenues included in operating results. The amount of revenues included in our transaction prices associated with claims as of March 31, 2018 and 2017 was $10 million, all in our Middle East segment. Claim amounts are determined based on various factors, including our analysis of the underlying contractual language and our experience in making and resolving claims. Our unconsolidated joint ventures did not include any material claims revenues or associated costs in their financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017.  

None of the claims as of March 31, 2018, whether material or immaterial, were the subject of any litigation proceedings. We continue to actively engage in negotiations with our customers on our outstanding claims. These claims may be resolved at amounts that differ from our current estimates, which could result in increases or decreases in future estimated contract profits or losses. However, we currently do not expect any significant reversals of revenues.

Loss Recognition―A risk associated with fixed-priced contracts is that revenue from customers may not cover increases in our costs. It is possible that current estimates could materially change for various reasons, including, but not limited to, fluctuations in forecasted labor and vessel productivity, vessel repair requirements, weather downtime, subcontractor or supplier performance, pipeline lay rates or steel and other raw material prices and penalties associated with missed completion deadlines.  For all contracts, if a current estimate of total contract cost indicates a loss, the projected loss is recognized in full immediately and reflected in cost of operations in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. It is possible that these estimates could change due to unforeseen events such as changes in productivity, actual downtime and the resolution of change orders and claims with the customers, which could result in adjustments to overall contract costs. Variations from estimated contract performance could result in material adjustments to operating results for any fiscal quarter or year.

In our Consolidated Balance Sheets, the provision for estimated losses on all active uncompleted projects is included in “Advance billings on contracts.”

There were no material active projects as of March 31, 2018 which we determined to be in a substantial loss position.

The provision for estimated losses on all active uncompleted projects in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 were not material.

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 4—USE OF ESTIMATES

The following is a discussion of our most significant changes in cost estimates that impacted segment operating income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017.

Three months ended March 31, 2018

Segment operating income was positively impacted by favorable changes in estimates totaling approximately $37 million in our Middle East (“MEA”) and Asia (“ASA”) segments, which were partially offset by $2 million of net unfavorable changes in estimates in our Americas, Europe and Africa (“AEA”) segment.

MEA—This segment was positively impacted by favorable changes in estimates aggregating approximately $30 million, primarily due to:

Those favorable changes in estimates were partially offset by higher estimated costs associated with:

ASA—This segment was positively impacted by favorable changes in estimates aggregating approximately $9 million, primarily due to reduction in estimates of costs to complete several active projects. Those favorable changes in estimates were partially offset by additional costs associated with weather downtime on two active projects.

Three months ended March 31, 2017

Segment operating income for the three months ended March 31, 2017 was positively impacted by net favorable changes in estimates totaling approximately $47 million across all segments.

AEA—This segment was positively impacted by net favorable changes in estimates aggregating approximately $5 million on multiple projects, none of which individually were material. 

MEA—This segment was positively impacted by net favorable changes in estimates aggregating approximately $16 million, primarily due to productivity improvements and associated cost savings on Saudi Aramco projects.

ASA—This segment was positively impacted by net favorable changes in estimates aggregating approximately $26 million, primarily as a result of improved cost estimates associated with efficient project execution, including productivity improvements on our marine vessels and associated cost savings achieved, on our active projects.

At December 31, 2016, on the Ichthys project in Australia, we reported a $34 million increase in our estimated costs at completion due to a failure identified in a supplier-provided subsea-pipe connector component that we had previously installed, and we identified possible additional increases of up to $10 million, due to potential need for alternative installation methods. We investigated the cause of the failure and developed a remediation plan in conjunction with the customer. We commenced offshore replacement in June 2017 through a diving intervention method and completed the replacement in 2017. The costs to replace the supplier-provided subsea-pipe connector component were less than our December 31, 2016 estimate. The project remains in an overall profitable position.

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 5—CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the Consolidated Balance Sheets that sum to the totals of such amounts shown in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.  

 

 

A majority of our restricted cash balances serve as collateral for letters of credit, discussed in Note 8, Debt.

NOTE 6—ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

Accounts Receivable—Trade, Net―A summary of contract receivables is as follows:

 

 

Retainages—Contract retainages generally represent amounts withheld by our customers until project completion, in accordance with the terms of the applicable contracts. The following is a summary of retainages on our contracts:

 

 

 

 

NOTE 7—CONTRACTS IN PROGRESS AND ADVANCE BILLINGS ON CONTRACTS

Contracts in progress, assets—include unbilled amounts typically resulting from revenue recognized exceeding the amount billed to the customer. We bill our customers as work progresses in accordance with agreed-upon contractual terms, mostly upon achievement of contractual milestones. Billing occurring subsequent to revenue recognition results in contract assets. Contract assets may not exceed their net realizable value and are classified as current. We expect to invoice customers for all unbilled revenues. Our payment terms are generally for less than 12 months and our contracts typically do not include a significant financing component.

Advance billings on contracts—include billings to customers that exceed revenues recognized. Most long-term contracts contain provisions for progress payments. Billing occurring prior to revenue recognition results in contract liabilities.

As of March 31, 2018, Contracts in progress, assets and Advance billings on contracts include balances associated with excess of costs recognized over cost incurred on those contracts that are substantially complete at the date of initial application of ASC Topic 606.

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Prior to the adoption of ASC Topic 606, certain costs, such as significant costs for materials and third-party subcontractors, were excluded from our cost-to-cost method of measuring progress for revenue recognition, which resulted in the recognition of an asset related to cost incurred in excess of cost recognized. As a result of our adoption of ASC Topic 606 effective January 1, 2018, we now measure transfer of control utilizing an input method to measure progress for individual contracts or combinations of contracts based on the total cost of materials, labor, equipment and vessel operating costs and other costs incurred as applicable to each contract.

Our contract assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 were as follows and are reflective of the accounting treatment in effect as of each reporting date: