Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

General (Policies)

v2.4.0.6
General (Policies)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013
Accounting Changes And Error Corrections [Abstract]  
Nature of Operations

Nature of Operations — Parker Drilling, together with its subsidiaries (the Company or Parker), is a worldwide provider of contract drilling and drilling-related services. We have operated in over 50 foreign countries and the United States since beginning operations in 1934, making us among the most geographically experienced drilling contractors in the world. We have extensive experience and expertise in drilling geologically difficult wells and in managing the logistical and technological challenges of operating in remote, harsh and ecologically sensitive areas. We believe our quality, health, safety and environmental practices are leaders in our industry. Our rental tools business specializes in oil and natural gas drilling rental tools providing high-quality; reliable equipment used for drilling, workover and production applications, such as drill pipe, heavy-weight drill pipe, tubing, high-torque connections, blow-out preventers (BOPs), drill collars and more.

Our U.S. barge drilling business operates barge rigs that drill for natural gas, oil, and a combination of oil and natural gas in the shallow waters in and along the inland waterways of Louisiana, Alabama, and Texas. Our international drilling business includes operations related to Parker-owned and operated rigs as well as customer-owned rigs. We strive to deploy our fleet of Parker-owned rigs in markets where we expect to have opportunities to keep the rigs consistently in service. In addition, we perform drilling-related activities for operators who own their drilling rigs and who choose to utilize our drilling experience and technical expertise to perform services on a contracted basis, including Operations and Maintenance (O&M) work, and other project management services (e.g., labor, maintenance, and logistics). On March 31, 2013, our marketable rig fleet consisted of 14 barge drilling rigs and 25 land rigs located in the United States, Latin America and the Eastern Hemisphere regions. Our Technical Services business includes engineering and related project services during the concept development, pre-FEED (Front End Engineering Design), and FEED phases of our customer owned drilling facility projects. As these projects mature, we typically continue providing the same services during the Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Installation (EPCI) phase.

Consolidation

Consolidation — The consolidated condensed financial statements include the accounts of Parker Drilling and subsidiaries over which we exercise control or have a controlling financial interest, including entities, if any, in which the Company is allocated a majority of the entity’s losses or returns, regardless of ownership percentage. If a subsidiary of Parker Drilling has a 50 percent interest in an entity but Parker Drilling’s interest in the subsidiary or the entity does not meet the consolidation criteria described above, then that interest is accounted for under the equity method.

Noncontrolling Interest

Noncontrolling Interest — We apply the accounting standards related to noncontrolling interests for ownership interests in our subsidiaries held by parties other than Parker Drilling. The entities that comprise the noncontrolling interest include Parker SMNG Drilling Limited Liability Company and Primorsky Drill Rig Services B.V. We report noncontrolling interest as equity on the consolidated balance sheets and report net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest and to noncontrolling interest separately on the consolidated statements of operations.

Reclassifications

Reclassifications — Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications did not have a material effect on our consolidated condensed statements of operations, consolidated condensed balance sheets or consolidated condensed statements of cash flows.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting policies generally accepted in the United States (U.S. GAAP) requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect our reported amounts of assets and liabilities, our disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and our revenue and expenses during the periods reported. Estimates are typically used when accounting for certain significant items, such as allowance for doubtful accounts, legal or contractual liability accruals, mobilization and deferred mobilization, revenue and cost accounting for projects that follow the percentage of completion method, self-insured medical/dental plans, income taxes and valuation allowance, and other items requiring the use of estimates. Estimates are based on a number of variables which may include third party valuations, historical experience and assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved with estimates, actual results may differ from management estimates.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition — Contract drilling revenues and expenses, comprised of daywork drilling contracts and engineering and related project service contracts, are recognized as services are performed and collection is reasonably assured. For certain contracts, we receive payments contractually designated for the mobilization of rigs and other drilling equipment. Mobilization payments received, and direct costs incurred for the mobilization, are deferred and recognized over the term of the related drilling contract; however, costs incurred to relocate rigs and other drilling equipment to areas in which a contract has not been secured are expensed as incurred. Reimbursements received for out-of-pocket expenses are recorded as both revenues and direct costs. For contracts that are terminated prior to the specified term, early termination payments received by us are recognized as revenues when all contractual requirements are met. Revenues from rental activities are recognized ratably over the rental term which is generally less than six months.

Reimbursable Costs

Reimbursable Costs — Within certain contractual arrangements, the Company may procure and take title, and risk of loss, for certain equipment or make certain expenditures on behalf of our customers or their projects. We typically receive a fee for such accommodation. We recognize reimbursements received for out-of-pocket expenditures as revenues and account for out-of-pocket expenditures as direct operating costs. Such amounts totaled $14.8 million and $7.7 million during the first quarters of 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Concentrations of Credit Risk — Financial instruments, which potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk, consist primarily of trade receivables. We generally do not require collateral on our trade receivables.

At March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, we had deposits in domestic banks in excess of federally insured limits of approximately $54.0 million and $12.2 million, respectively. The change is primarily because as of January 1, 2013, all regular checking account deposits are only guaranteed up to $250,000 at each institution while prior to January 1, 2013, all regular checking account deposits were guaranteed, except investments. In addition, as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, we had uninsured deposits in foreign banks of $35.2 million and $34.5 million, respectively.

Our customer base consists primarily of major, independent, national and international oil and gas companies and integrated service providers. We depend on a limited number of customers. Our largest customer, Exxon Neftegas Limited (ENL), constituted 15.1 percent of our total revenues as of March 31, 2013. Each of our segments depends on a limited number of key customers and the loss of any one or more key customers could have a material adverse effect on a segment.

Capitalized Interest

Capitalized Interest — Interest from external borrowings is capitalized on major projects until the assets are ready for their intended use. Capitalized interest is added to the cost of the underlying assets and is amortized over the useful lives of the assets in the same manner as the underlying assets. Capitalized interest reduces net interest expense in the consolidated condensed statements of operations. During the three-month period ended March 31, 2013, we capitalized interest costs of $0.5 million primarily related to a new enterprise resource planning system and during the three-month period ended March 31, 2012, we capitalized $2.4 million of interest costs primarily related to the two Arctic Alaska Drilling Unit (AADU) rigs in Alaska.

Fair Value Measurements

Effective January 1, 2012, we adopted the accounting standards update that changes the wording used to describe many of the requirements in U.S. GAAP for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements. Some of the amendments included in this update are intended to clarify the applications of existing fair value measurement requirements. The update was effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. Our adoption did not have a material effect on the disclosures contained in our notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Comprehensive Income

On January 1, 2012, we adopted an update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) to existing guidance on the presentation of comprehensive income. The update eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income (OCI) as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity. Public entities are required to comply with the new reporting requirements for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011 and interim periods within those years. Calendar year-end companies must adopt the requirements for the quarter ended March 31, 2012. The adoption of this update did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or disclosures.

Impairment

In July 2012, the FASB issued an update to existing guidance on the impairment assessment of indefinite-lived intangibles. This update simplifies the impairment assessment of indefinite-lived intangibles by allowing companies to consider qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount before performing the two step impairment review process. The adoption of this update did not have an impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.