Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

General (Policies)

v2.4.1.9
General (Policies) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]    
Nature of Operations
Nature of Operations — We are an international provider of drilling services and rental tools. We have operated in over 50 countries since beginning operations in 1934, making us among the most geographically experienced drilling contractors and rental tools providers in the world. We currently have operations in 23 countries. We believe we are an industry leader in quality, health, safety and environmental practices.
Our business is comprised of two business lines: (1) Drilling Services and (2) Rental Tools Services. We have completed a business review and as a result have aligned our reportable segments with our two core business lines and our current internal organizational structure. We continue to report our Rental Tools Services business as one reportable segment (Rental Tools); however, effective with the first quarter of 2015, the Company is reporting its Drilling Services business as two segments: (1) U.S. (Lower 48) Drilling and (2) International & Alaska Drilling.
In our Drilling Services business, we own and operate drilling rigs and drilling-related equipment and also perform drilling-related services, referred to as operations and maintenance (O&M) services, for customer-owned drilling rigs on a contracted basis. In addition, we provide engineering and related services during concept development, pre-FEED (Front End Engineering Design) and FEED phases of customer-owned drilling facility projects. 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. Our U.S. (Lower 48) Drilling segment includes our Gulf of Mexico (GOM) barge drilling fleet and O&M services. Our GOM barge drilling fleet operates barge rigs that drill for oil and natural gas in shallow waters in and along the inland waterways and coasts of Louisiana, Alabama, and Texas. The majority of these wells are drilled in water depths of 6 to 12 feet. Our International & Alaska Drilling segment includes operations related to Parker-owned and customer-owned rigs as well as project related services. We provide O&M and other project management services, such as labor, maintenance, technical and logistics support for operators who own their own drilling rigs, but choose Parker Drilling to operate the rigs for them.
In our Rental Tools Services business, we provide premium rental equipment and services to exploration and production companies, drilling contractors and service companies on land and offshore in the United States (U.S.) and select international markets. Tools we provide include drill collars, standard and heavy-weight drill pipe, all of which are available with standard or high-torque connections, tubing, and pressure control equipment including blow-out preventers (BOPs). We also provide well construction services which include tubular running services and downhole tools and well intervention services which include whip stock, fishing products and services, as well as inspection and machine shop support.
 
Consolidation
Consolidation — The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and subsidiaries in 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 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 ITS Arabia Limited and ITS Egypt SAE. 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 [Text Block]
Reclassifications — Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications did not materially affect our consolidated financial results.
 
Revenue Recognition
Revenue Recognition — Drilling revenues and expenses, comprised of daywork drilling contracts, call-outs against master service agreements 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 primary 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. Our project related services contracts include engineering, consulting, and project management scopes of work and revenue is typically recognized on a time and materials basis.
 
Reimbursable Costs Policy [Text Block]
Reimbursable Costs — The Company recognizes reimbursements received for out-of-pocket expenses incurred as revenues and accounts for out-of-pocket expenses as direct operating costs. Such amounts totaled $19.7 million and $16.4 million during the first quarters of 2015 and 2014, respectively. Additionally, the Company typically receives a nominal handling fee, which is recognized as earned revenues in our consolidated statement of operations.
 
Reimbursable Costs $ 19.7us-gaap_CostOfReimbursableExpense $ 16.4us-gaap_CostOfReimbursableExpense
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 revenues and expenses during the periods reported. Estimates are typically used when accounting for certain significant items such as legal or contractual liability accruals, mobilization and deferred mobilization, 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, where applicable, 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.
 
Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block]
Purchase price allocation — We allocate the purchase price of an acquired business to its identifiable assets and liabilities in accordance with the acquisition method based on estimated fair values at the transaction date. Transaction and integration costs associated with an acquisition are expensed as incurred. The excess of the purchase price over the amount allocated to the assets and liabilities, if any, is recorded as goodwill. We use all available information to estimate fair values, including quoted market prices, the carrying value of acquired assets, and widely accepted valuation techniques such as discounted cash flows. We typically engage third-party appraisal firms to assist in fair value determination of inventories, identifiable intangible assets, and any other significant assets or liabilities. Judgments made in determining the estimated fair value assigned to each class of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, as well as asset lives, can materially impact our results of operations.
Acquisition of ITS    
On April 22, 2013 we acquired International Tubular Services Limited (ITS) and related assets (the ITS Acquisition) for an initial purchase price of $101.0 million paid at the closing of the ITS Acquisition. An additional $24.0 million was deposited into an escrow account, to be payable to the seller or to us, as the case may be, in accordance with the ITS Acquisition agreement (the Acquisition Agreement). As of March 31, 2015, $10.8 million of the cash deposited in escrow has been released to the seller and $3.2 million has been released to us. Based on the terms of the Acquisition Agreement, we estimate that the entire $10.0 million remaining in escrow will be paid to the seller (or to third parties on behalf of the seller)
 
Intangible Assets
Intangible Assets – Our intangible assets are related to trade names, customer relationships, and developed technology, which are associated with a previous acquisition and are generally amortized over a weighted average period of approximately three years. We assess the recoverability of the unamortized balance of our intangible assets when indicators of impairment are present based on expected future profitability and undiscounted expected cash flows and their contribution to our overall operations. Should the review indicate that the carrying value is not fully recoverable, the excess of the carrying value over the fair value of the intangible assets would be recognized as an impairment loss.
 
Concentrations of Credit Risk
Concentrations of Credit Risk — Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of trade receivables with a variety of major, independent, national and international oil and gas companies and integrated service providers. We generally do not require collateral on our trade receivables.
At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we had deposits in domestic banks in excess of federally insured limits of approximately $47.1 million and $59.3 million, respectively. In addition, as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we had deposits in foreign banks, which were not insured of $66.1 million and $54.4 million, respectively.
Our customer base primarily consists of major, independent, national and international oil and gas companies and integrated service providers. We depend on a limited number of significant customers. Our largest customer, Exxon Neftegas Limited (ENL), constituted approximately 22.9% of our revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2015. 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.
 
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Recent Accounting Pronouncements    
On April 7, 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2015-03, Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30) - Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, which requires debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the debt liability rather than as an asset. Early adoption is permitted. Upon adoption, an entity must apply the new guidance retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. We plan to adopt the standard on a retrospective basis effective January 1, 2016 and expect that it will result in the netting of our deferred financing costs against long-term debt balances on the consolidated balance sheets for the periods presented, and related disclosure. There will be no impact to the manner in which deferred financing costs are amortized in our consolidated financial statements.
On May 28, 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. This ASU supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Accounting Standards Codification 605 - Revenue Recognition and most industry-specific guidance throughout the Codification. The standard requires that an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services and should be applied retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the ASU recognized at the date of initial application. ASU 2014-09 was initially scheduled to be effective for the first quarter of 2017, however, on April 1, 2015, the FASB proposed to defer the effective date by one year.  It is expected the proposal to defer the effective date will be finalized during the second quarter of 2015. We are in the process of assessing the impact of the adoption of ASU 2014-09 on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. We have not yet selected a transition method nor have we determined the effect of the standard on our ongoing financial reporting.
In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. This ASU requires an entity to present an unrecognized tax benefit as a reduction of a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss (NOL) carryforward, or similar tax loss or tax credit carryforward, rather than as a liability when: (1) the uncertain tax position would reduce the NOL or other carryforward under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction and (2) the entity intends to use the deferred tax asset for that purpose. This accounting guidance was effective for our first quarter in fiscal 2014 and did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.