UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form 10-K

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017

or

For the transition period from                 to                

Commission File Number 1-1204

 

Hess Corporation

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code, is (212) 997-8500)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☑ No ☐

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes ☐ No ☑

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 submitted electronically and posted on its Corporate website, 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 if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ☑

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or 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. (Check one):

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 Ex-change 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 aggregate market value of voting stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant amounted to $12,290,000,000, computed using the outstanding common shares and closing market price on June 30, 2017, the last business day of the Registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter.

At December 31, 2017, there were 315,053,615 shares of Common Stock outstanding.

Part III is incorporated by reference from the Proxy Statement for the 2018 annual meeting of stockholders.

 

 

 

 

 

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HESS CORPORATION

Form 10-K

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Unless the context indicates otherwise, references to “Hess”, the “Corporation”, “Registrant”, “we”, “us”, “our” and “its” refer to the consolidated business operations of Hess Corporation and its subsidiaries.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain sections in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including information incorporated by reference herein, and those made under the captions Business and Properties, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk contain “forward-looking” statements, as defined under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Generally, the words “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “guidance,” “could,” “may,” “should,” “would,” “believe,” “intend,” “project,” “plan,” “predict,” “will,” “target” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which generally are not historical in nature.  Forward-looking statements related to our operations are based on our current understanding, assessments, estimates and projections of relevant factors and reasonable assumptions about the future.  Forward-looking statements are subject to certain known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and our current projections or expectations of future results expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.  As and when made, we believe that these forward-looking statements are reasonable.  However, given these uncertainties, caution should be taken not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements since such statements speak only as of the date when made and there can be no assurance that such forward-looking statements will occur and actual results may differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement we make.  Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  Risk factors that could materially impact future actual results are discussed under Item 1A. Risk Factors within this document.

 

 

 

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Glossary

Throughout this report, the following company or industry specific terms and abbreviations are used:

Appraisal well – An exploration well drilled to confirm the results of a discovery well, or a well used to determine the boundaries of a productive formation.

Bbl – One stock tank barrel, which is 42 United States gallons liquid volume.

Barrel of oil equivalent or Boe – This reflects natural gas reserves converted on the basis of relative energy content of six mcf equals one barrel of oil equivalent (one mcf represents one thousand cubic feet).  Barrel of oil equivalence does not necessarily result in price equivalence, as the equivalent price of natural gas on a barrel of oil equivalent basis has been substantially lower than the corresponding price for crude oil over the recent past.  See the average selling prices in the table on page 9.

Boepd – Barrels of oil equivalent per day.

Bopd – Barrels of oil per day.

Condensate – A mixture of hydrocarbons that exists in the gaseous phase at original reservoir temperature and pressure, but that when produced, is in the liquid phase at surface pressure and temperature.

Development well – A well drilled within the proved area of an oil and/or natural gas reservoir with the intent of producing oil and/or natural gas from that area of the reservoir.

Dry hole or dry well – An exploratory or development well that does not find oil or natural gas in commercial quantities.

Exploratory well – A well drilled to find oil or natural gas in an unproved area or find a new reservoir in a field previously found to be productive by another reservoir.

Fractionation – Fractionation is the process by which the mixture of NGLs that results from natural gas processing is separated into the NGL components, such as ethane, propane, butane, isobutane, and natural gasoline, prior to their sale to various petrochemical and industrial end users.  Fractionation is accomplished by controlling the temperature of the stream of mixed liquids in order to take advantage of the difference in boiling points of separate products.

Field – An area consisting of a single reservoir or multiple reservoirs all grouped or related to the same individual geological structural feature and/or stratigraphic condition.

Gross acreage – acreage in which a working interest is held by the Corporation.

Gross well – a well in which a working interest is held by the Corporation.

Mcf – One thousand cubic feet of natural gas.

Mmcfd – One thousand mcf of natural gas per day.

Net acreage or Net wells – The sum of the fractional working interests owned by us in gross acres or gross wells.

NGLs or Natural gas liquids – Naturally occurring substances that are separated and produced by fractionating natural gas, including ethane, butane, isobutane, propane and natural gasoline.  Natural gas liquids do not sell at prices equivalent to crude oil.  See the average selling prices in the table on page 9.

Non-operated – Projects in which the Corporation has a working interest but does not perform the role of Operator.

OPEC – Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries.

Operator – The entity responsible for conducting and managing exploration, development, and/or production operations for an oil or gas project.

Participating interest – Reflects the proportion of exploration and production costs each party will bear or the proportion of production each party will receive, as set out in an operating agreement.

Production entitlement – The share of gross production the Corporation is entitled to receive under the terms of a production sharing contract.

Production sharing contract – An agreement between a host government and the owners (or co-owners) of a well or field regarding the percentage of production each party will receive after the parties have recovered a specified amount of capital and operational expenses.

 

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Productive well – A well that is capable of producing hydrocarbons in sufficient quantities to justify commercial exploitation.

Proved properties – Properties with proved reserves.

Proved reserves – In accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission regulations and practices recognized in the publication of the Society of Petroleum Engineers entitled, “Standards Pertaining to the Estimating and Auditing of Oil and Gas Reserves Information,” those quantities of crude oil and condensate, NGLs and natural gas, which, by analysis of geoscience and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be economically producible from a given date forward, from known reservoirs, and under existing economic conditions, operating methods, and government regulations prior to the time at which contracts providing the right to operate expire, unless evidence indicates that renewal is reasonably certain, regardless of whether deterministic or probabilistic methods are used for the estimation.  The project to extract the hydrocarbons must have commenced or the operator must be reasonably certain that it will commence the project within a reasonable time.

Proved developed reserves – Proved reserves that can be expected to be recovered through existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods or for which the cost of the required equipment is relatively minor compared to the cost of a new well.

Proved undeveloped reserves – Proved reserves that are expected to be recovered from new wells on undrilled acreage, or from existing wells where a relatively major expenditure is required for recompletion.  Reserves on undrilled acreage shall be limited to those directly offsetting development spacing areas that are reasonably certain of production when drilled, unless evidence using reliable technology exists that establishes reasonable certainty of economic producibility at greater distances.

Unproved properties – Properties with no proved reserves.

Working interest – An interest in an oil and gas property that provides the owner of the interest the right to drill for and produce oil and gas on the relevant acreage and requires the owner to pay a share of the costs of drilling and production operations.

 

 

 

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PART I

Items 1 and 2.  Business and Properties

Hess Corporation, incorporated in the State of Delaware in 1920, is a global Exploration and Production (E&P) company engaged in exploration, development, production, transportation, purchase and sale of crude oil, natural gas liquids, and natural gas with production operations located primarily in the United States (U.S.), Denmark, the Malaysia/Thailand Joint Development Area (JDA) and Malaysia.  The Corporation conducts exploration activities primarily offshore Guyana, Suriname, Canada and in the Gulf of Mexico, including at the Stabroek Block, offshore Guyana, where we have participated in six significant crude oil discoveries and sanctioned the first phase of a multi-phase development project at the Liza Field.  During 2017, we sold our interests in Equatorial Guinea, Norway and our enhanced oil recovery assets in the Permian Basin, onshore U.S.  The 2017 asset sales of higher cost, mature assets will provide funds toward our future development projects in the Stabroek Block, offshore Guyana.  In the fourth quarter of 2017, we announced that we would commence a process to sell our interests in Denmark in 2018.

The Corporation’s Midstream operating segment provides fee-based services, including gathering, compressing and processing natural gas and fractionating natural gas liquids (NGLs); gathering, terminaling, loading and transporting crude oil and NGLs; and storing and terminaling propane, primarily in the Bakken and Three Forks Shale plays in the Williston Basin area of North Dakota.  On January 1, 2017, the Corporation’s interests in a Permian Basin gas plant in West Texas and related CO₂ assets, and water handling assets in North Dakota were transferred from the E&P segment to the Midstream segment as a result of organizational changes to the management of those assets.  In the third quarter of 2017, we completed the sale of our Midstream assets in the Permian Basin.

See Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for further details.

Exploration and Production

Proved Reserves

Proved reserves are calculated using the average price during the twelve-month period ending December 31 determined as an unweighted arithmetic average of the price on the first day of each month within the year, unless prices are defined by contractual agreements, and exclude escalations based on future conditions.  Crude oil prices used in the determination of proved reserves at December 31, 2017 were $51.19 per barrel for WTI (2016: $42.68) and $54.87 per barrel for Brent (2016: $44.45).  Our total proved developed and undeveloped reserves at December 31 were as follows:

 

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Proved undeveloped reserves were 37% of our total proved reserves at December 31, 2017 on a boe basis (2016: 28%).  Proved reserves held under production sharing contracts totaled 7% of our crude oil reserves and 44% of our natural gas reserves at December 31, 2017 (2016: 4% and 45%, respectively).

 

For additional information regarding our proved oil and gas reserves, see the Supplementary Oil and Gas Data to the Consolidated Financial Statements presented on pages 81 through 91.

Production

Worldwide crude oil, natural gas liquids, and natural gas net production was as follows:

 

 

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E&P Operations

At December 31, 2017, our significant E&P assets include the following:

United States

Our production in the U.S. was from onshore properties, principally in the Bakken oil shale play in the Williston Basin of North Dakota (Bakken) and the Utica Basin of Ohio and from offshore properties in the Gulf of Mexico.

Onshore:

Bakken: At December 31, 2017, we held approximately 554,000 net acres in the Bakken with varying working interest percentages.  During 2017, we operated an average of 3.5 rigs, drilled 85 wells, completed 68 wells, and brought 68 wells on production, bringing the total operated production wells to 1,315 by year-end.  Drilling and completion costs per operated well averaged $5.6 million in 2017, based on a change in our standard well design during the year to a 60-stage completion with proppant loadings of 140,000 pounds per stage compared to an average well cost of $4.8 million in 2016 using a 50-stage completion with proppant loadings of 70,000 pounds per stage.  During 2018, we plan to increase our rig count in the second half of the year to six rigs from four rigs, to drill approximately 120 wells and bring approximately 95 wells on production.  In addition, our capital budget for 2018 will fund pad construction in preparation for 2019 drilling.  We forecast net production for full year 2018 to be in the range of 115,000 boepd to 120,000 boepd, compared to production of 105,000 boepd in 2017.

Utica: We own a 50% working interest in approximately 37,000 net acres in the wet gas area of the Utica Basin of Ohio.  There was no drilling activity in the Utica in 2017.  In 2018, we expect to complete and bring on production five previously drilled wells.

Offshore:  At December 31, 2017, we held interests in 73 blocks in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico.  Our production offshore in the Gulf of Mexico was principally from the Baldpate (Hess 50%), Conger (Hess 38%), Hack Wilson (Hess 25%), Llano (Hess 50%), Penn State (Hess 50%), Shenzi (Hess 28%) and Tubular Bells (Hess 57%) Fields.  In addition, we are operator of the Stampede development project (Hess 25%).  At December 31, 2017, we held approximately 210,000 net undeveloped acres, of which leases covering approximately 55,000 acres are due to expire in the next three years.

 

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Significant events relating to operations in the Gulf of Mexico during 2017 were as follows:

Producing assets: Production from the Baldpate, Conger, Llano and Penn State Fields were shut-in following a fire at the third-party operated Enchilada platform in November 2017.  Prior to the shut-down, net production from these assets was approximately 30,000 boepd.  Production at the Baldpate Field restarted in mid-February and is expected to restart at the Penn State Field in the first quarter, at the Llano Field in the second quarter, and at the Conger Field in the third quarter of 2018.

Penn State:  At this Hess operated Field, we drilled one production well that was completed in November 2017.  

Stampede:  At this Hess operated project in the Green Canyon area of the Gulf of Mexico, in 2017 we completed installation of the tension leg platform and subsea equipment, finished drilling and completing three production wells, and received regulatory approval for production operations at the end of the year.  In January 2018, we commenced production from the field, which is expected to ramp up over the next 18 months as we continue a drilling program of three additional production wells and four water injection wells.

Europe

Denmark:  In 2017, we announced that we plan to commence a process to sell our interest in the Hess operated offshore South Arne Field (Hess 62%) in 2018.  Total proved reserves for Denmark were 64 million boe at December 31, 2017.

Africa

Ghana:  At the Hess operated offshore Deepwater Tano/Cape Three Points license (Hess 50% license interest), management determined in the fourth quarter of 2017 that it would not develop the previously discovered fields.  As a result, we recorded a charge of $280 million to write-off previously capitalized exploration wells and other lease costs. See Capitalized Exploratory Well Costs in Note 5, Property, Plant and Equipment, and Note 24, Subsequent Events in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.  

Libya:  At the onshore Waha concession in Libya, which includes the Defa, Faregh, Gialo, North Gialo and Belhedan Fields (Hess 8%), production was shut-in by the operator for extended periods in 2016 and 2015 due to force majeure caused by civil unrest.  The national oil company of Libya lifted force majeure in September 2016 and production recommenced in October 2016.  Net production averaged approximately 10,000 boepd in 2017, 1,000 boepd in 2016, and zero in 2015.

Asia and Other

Malaysia/Thailand Joint Development Area (JDA):  At the Carigali Hess operated offshore Block A-18 in the Gulf of Thailand (Hess 50%), no drilling is planned for 2018 as contracted volumes are expected to be met as a result of the booster compression project that came online in 2016.

Malaysia:  Our production in Malaysia comes from our interest in Block PM301 (Hess 50%), which is adjacent to and is unitized with Block A‑18 of the JDA and our 50% interest in Blocks PM302, PM325 and PM326B located in the North Malay Basin (NMB), offshore Peninsular Malaysia, where we operate a multi‑phase natural gas development project.  In July 2017, production of natural gas commenced from the full-field development and net production for 2017 averaged 66 mmcfd, with the planned plateau rate of 165 mmcfd being achieved in the fourth quarter.  In 2018, we plan to drill three production wells and progress development activities related to future phases.

Guyana:  At the Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited operated offshore Stabroek Block (Hess 30% participating interest), the partners sanctioned the first phase of the Liza Field development in 2017.  This phase is expected to have a gross capital cost of approximately $3.2 billion for drilling and subsea infrastructure, of which we expect to incur $250 million net in 2018, with first production expected in March 2020.  The development plan includes a leased floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel that will have the capacity to process up to 120,000 barrels of oil per day from 17 wells, including eight producers, six water injectors and three gas injectors.  At December 31, 2017, we have proved reserves of 45 million boe, related to Liza Phase 1.  

An application for an environmental permit to develop the second phase at Liza has been submitted.  The concept for Phase 2 involves the use of a larger FPSO vessel and subsea systems that would have a production capacity of approximately 220,000 bopd, with first production expected by mid-2022.  Planning is also underway for a third phase of development with an FPSO vessel at the Payara Field with first production planned for 2023 or 2024.  The size of the third ship will depend upon the results of future exploration and appraisal drilling.

 

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In 2017, the following wells were completed on the Stabroek Block (in chronological order):

Payara-1:  The well, located approximately 10 miles northwest of the Liza discovery, encountered 95 feet of high-quality, oil bearing sandstone reservoirs.

Snoek-1: The well encountered more than 82 feet of high-quality, oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs and is located approximately 5 miles southeast of the Liza-1 oil discovery.

Liza-4: The well encountered more than 197 feet of high-quality, oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs.

Payara-2: The well encountered 59 feet of high-quality, oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs and confirmed a second large oil field in addition to the Liza Field.  The well is located approximately 12 miles northwest from the Liza Phase 1 project.  

Turbot-1: The well encountered a reservoir of 75 feet of high-quality, oil-bearing sandstone in the primary objective.  The well is located approximately 30 miles to the southeast of the Liza Phase 1 project.  

In January 2018, the operator announced a sixth oil discovery at the Ranger prospect.  The Ranger-1 well encountered approximately 230 feet of high-quality, oil-bearing carbonate reservoir, and is located approximately 60 miles to the northwest of the Liza Field.  In 2018, additional drilling is planned, including appraisal of the Liza, Turbot and Ranger discoveries, as well as a wider exploration program that will target additional prospects and play types on the block.  Drilling of the Pacora prospect commenced in January. 

Suriname:  We hold a 33% non-operated participating interest in the Block 42 contract area, offshore Suriname.  The operator, Kosmos Energy Ltd., completed a 6,500-square kilometer 3D seismic shoot in 2017 and expects to drill its first exploration well in 2018.  In 2017, we entered into a 33% non-operated participating interest in the Block 59 contract area, offshore Suriname, where the operator, ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Suriname B.V., is planning a seismic program in 2018.  

Canada:  We hold a 50% participating interest in four exploration licenses offshore Nova Scotia.  In 2018, the operator, BP Canada, plans to drill its first exploration well.  In addition, in 2017 we were granted a 25% participating interest in three BP Canada operated exploration licenses offshore Newfoundland.

Sales Commitments

We have certain long-term contracts with fixed minimum sales volume commitments for natural gas and natural gas liquids production.  At the JDA in the Gulf of Thailand, we have annual minimum net sales commitments of approximately 85 billion cubic feet of natural gas per year through 2025 and approximately 40 billion cubic feet per year in 2026 and 2027.  At the North Malay Basin development project offshore Malaysia, we have annual net sales commitments of approximately 55 billion cubic feet per year through 2024.  Our estimated total volume of production subject to these sales commitments is approximately 1.2 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.  We also have natural gas liquids minimum delivery commitments, primarily in the Bakken through 2023, of approximately 10 million barrels per year, or approximately 60 million barrels over the remaining life of the contracts.

We have not experienced any significant constraints in satisfying the committed quantities required by our sales commitments, and we anticipate being able to meet future requirements from available proved and probable reserves and projected third-party supply.

 

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Selling Prices and Production Costs

The following table presents our average selling prices and average production costs:

 

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Gross and Net Undeveloped Acreage

At December 31, 2017, gross and net undeveloped acreage amounted to:

Gross and Net Developed Acreage, and Productive Wells

At December 31, 2017 gross and net developed acreage and productive wells amounted to:

Exploratory and Development Wells

Net exploratory and net development wells completed during the years ended December 31 were:

Number of Wells in the Process of Being Drilled

At December 31, 2017, the number of wells in the process of drilling amounted to:

 

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Midstream

The Midstream operating segment provides fee-based services, including gathering, compressing and processing natural gas and fractionating natural gas liquids (NGLs); gathering, terminaling, loading and transporting crude oil and NGLs; and storing and terminaling propane, primarily in the Bakken and Three Forks Shale plays in the Williston Basin area of North Dakota.

In July 2015, we sold a 50% interest in Hess Infrastructure Partners LP (HIP) to Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) for net cash consideration of approximately $2.6 billion.  In April 2017, Hess Midstream Partners LP (the “Partnership”), sold 16,997,000 common units representing limited partner interests at a price of $23 per unit in an initial public offering (IPO) for net proceeds of $365.5 million, of which $350 million was distributed equally to Hess Corporation and GIP.  

At December 31, 2017, Hess Corporation and GIP each owned a direct 33.75% limited partner interest in the Partnership and a 50% indirect ownership interest through HIP in the Partnership’s general partner, which has a 2% economic interest in the Partnership plus incentive distribution rights.  The public unit holders own a 30.5% limited partner interest in the Partnership.  In turn, the Partnership owns an approximate 20% controlling interest in the operating companies that comprise our midstream joint venture, while HIP, the 50/50 joint venture between Hess Corporation and GIP, owns the remaining 80%.  

The Partnership, and HIP and its affiliates primarily comprise the Midstream operating segment, which currently generates substantially all of its revenues under long-term, fee-based agreements with our E&P operating segment but intends to pursue additional throughput volumes from third-parties in the Williston Basin area.  We operate the Midstream assets under various operational and administrative services agreements.  Beginning January 1, 2017, the Midstream segment included our interest in a Permian gas plant in West Texas and related CO₂ assets, and water handling assets in North Dakota as a result of organizational changes to the management of those assets.  In the third quarter of 2017, we completed the sale of our assets in the Permian Basin, including the gas plant in West Texas and related CO₂ assets.  The water assets are wholly-owned by the Corporation and are not included in our HIP joint venture.

At December 31, 2017, Midstream assets include the following:

 

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In 2018, the Partnership announced the formation of a 50/50 joint venture with Targa Resources Corp. to construct a new 200 mmcfd gas processing plant south of the Missouri River in McKenzie County, North Dakota, which is expected to be completed in the second half of 2018.  The plant is expected to increase the Midstream segment’s total processing capacity in the Bakken to 350 mmcfd.  As part of this project, HIP will construct new pipeline infrastructure to gather volumes for the new plant.  The expected combined project costs attributable to our Midstream segment is $175 million.  

Competition and Market Conditions

See Item 1A. Risk Factors for a discussion of competition and market conditions.

Other Items

Emergency Preparedness and Response Plans and Procedures

We have in place a series of business and asset-specific emergency preparedness, response and business continuity plans that detail procedures for rapid and effective emergency response and environmental mitigation activities.  These plans are risk appropriate and are maintained, reviewed and updated as necessary to confirm their accuracy and suitability.  Where appropriate, they are also reviewed and approved by the relevant host government authorities.

Responder training and drills are routinely held worldwide to assess and continually improve the effectiveness of our plans.  Our contractors, service providers, representatives from government agencies and, where applicable, joint venture partners participate in the drills to help ensure that emergency procedures are comprehensive and can be effectively implemented.

To complement internal capabilities and to help ensure coverage for our global operations, we maintain membership contracts with a network of local, regional and global oil spill response and emergency response organizations.  At the regional and global level, these organizations include Clean Gulf Associates (CGA), Marine Spill Response Corporation (MSRC), Marine Well Containment Company (MWCC), Wild Well Control (WWC), Subsea Well Intervention Service (SWIS) and Oil Spill Response Limited (OSRL).  CGA and MSRC are domestic spill response organizations and MWCC provides the equipment and personnel to contain underwater well control incidents in the Gulf of Mexico.  WWC provides firefighting, well control and engineering services globally.  OSRL is a global response organization and is available, when needed, to assist us anywhere in the world.  In addition to owning response assets in their own right, the organization maintains business relationships that provide immediate access to additional critical response support services if required.  These owned response assets include nearly 300 recovery and storage vessels and barges, more than 250 skimmers, over 600,000 feet of boom, 9 capping stacks and significant quantities of dispersants and other ancillary equipment, including aircraft.  In addition to external well control and oil spill response support, we have contracts with wildlife, environmental, meteorology, incident management, medical and security resources.  If we were to engage these organizations to obtain additional critical response support services, we would fund such services and seek reimbursement under our insurance coverage, as described below.  In certain circumstances, we pursue and enter into mutual aid agreements with other companies and government cooperatives to receive and provide oil spill response equipment and personnel support.  We maintain close associations with emergency response organizations through our representation on the Executive Committees of CGA and MSRC, as well as the Board of Directors of OSRL.

We continue to participate in a number of industry-wide task forces that are studying better ways to assess the risk of and prevent onshore and offshore incidents, access and control blowouts in subsea environments, and improve containment and recovery methods.  The task forces are working closely with the oil and gas industry and international government agencies to implement improvements and increase the effectiveness of oil spill prevention, preparedness, response and recovery processes.

Insurance Coverage and Indemnification

We maintain insurance coverage that includes coverage for physical damage to our property, third-party liability, workers’ compensation and employers’ liability, general liability, sudden and accidental pollution and other coverage.  This insurance coverage is subject to deductibles, exclusions and limitations and there is no assurance that such coverage will adequately protect us against liability from all potential consequences and damages.

The amount of insurance covering physical damage to our property and liability related to negative environmental effects resulting from a sudden and accidental pollution event, excluding Atlantic Named Windstorm coverage for which we are self‑insured, varies by asset, based on the asset's estimated replacement value or the estimated maximum loss.  In the case of a catastrophic event, first party coverage consists of two tiers of insurance.  The first $400 million of coverage is provided through an industry mutual insurance group.  Above this $400 million threshold, insurance is carried which ranges in value

 

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up to $1.11 billion in total, depending on the asset coverage level, as described above.  The insurance programs covering physical damage to our property exclude business interruption protection for our E&P operations.  Additionally, we carry insurance that provides third-party coverage for general liability, and sudden and accidental pollution, up to $1.08 billion, which coverage under a standard joint operating arrangement would be reduced to our participating interest.

Our insurance policies renew at various dates each year.  Future insurance coverage could increase in cost and may include higher deductibles or retentions, or additional exclusions or limitations.  In addition, some forms of insurance may become unavailable in the future or unavailable on terms that are deemed economically acceptable.

Generally, our drilling contracts (and most of our other offshore services contracts) provide for a mutual hold harmless indemnity structure whereby each party to the contract (the Corporation and Contractor) indemnifies the other party for injuries or damages to their personnel and property (and, often, those of its contractors/subcontractors) regardless of fault.  Variations may include indemnity exclusions to the extent a claim is attributable to the gross negligence and/or willful misconduct of a party.  Third‑party claims, on the other hand, are generally allocated on a fault basis.

We are customarily responsible for, and indemnify the Contractor against, all claims including those from third‑parties, to the extent attributable to pollution or contamination by substances originating from our reservoirs or other property and the Contractor is responsible for and indemnifies us for all claims attributable to pollution emanating from the Contractor’s property.  Variations may include indemnity exclusions to the extent a claim is attributable to the gross negligence and/or willful misconduct of a party.  Additionally, we are generally liable for all of our own losses and most third‑party claims associated with catastrophic losses such as damage to reservoirs, blowouts, cratering and loss of hole, regardless of cause, although exceptions for losses attributable to gross negligence and/or willful misconduct do exist.  Lastly some offshore services contracts include overall limitations of the Contractor’s liability equal to a fixed negotiated amount.  Variations may include exclusions of all contractual indemnities from the liability cap.

Under a standard joint operating agreement (JOA), each party is liable for all claims arising under the JOA, to the extent of its participating interest (operator or non-operator).  Variations include indemnity exclusions when the claim is based upon the gross negligence and/or willful misconduct of the operator, in which case the operator is solely liable.  The parties to the JOA may continue to be jointly and severally liable for claims made by third-parties in some jurisdictions.  Further, under some production sharing contracts between a governmental entity and commercial parties, liability of the commercial parties to the government entity is joint and several.

Environmental

Compliance with various existing environmental and pollution control regulations imposed by federal, state, local and foreign governments is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations but increasingly stringent environmental regulations have resulted and will likely continue to result in higher capital expenditures and operating expenses for us and the oil and gas industry in general.  We spent approximately $15 million in 2017 for environmental remediation.  The level of other expenditures to comply with federal, state, local and foreign country environmental regulations is difficult to quantify as such costs are captured as mostly indistinguishable components of our capital expenditures and operating expenses.  For further discussion of environmental matters see Environment, Health and Safety in Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Number of Employees

At December 31, 2017, we had 2,075 employees.  In January 2018, we eliminated approximately 300 of these positions.  See Note 24, Subsequent Events in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Website Access to Our Reports

We make available free of charge through our website at www.hess.com, our annual report on Form 10‑K, quarterly reports on Form 10‑Q, current reports on Form 8‑K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The information on our website is not incorporated by reference in this report.  Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, Corporate Governance Guidelines, and the charters for the Audit Committee, Compensation and Management Development Committee, and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee of the Board of Directors are available on our website and are also available free of charge upon request to Investor Relations at our principal executive office.  We also file with the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) an annual certification that our Chief Executive Officer is unaware of any violation of the NYSE’s corporate governance standards.

 

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Item 1A.  Risk Factors

Our business activities and the value of our securities are subject to significant risks, including the risk factors described below.  These risk factors could negatively affect our operations, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations, and as a result, holders and purchasers of our securities could lose part or all of their investments.  It is possible that additional risks relating to our securities may be described in a prospectus supplement if we issue securities in the future.

Our business and operating results are highly dependent on the market prices of crude oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas, which can be very volatile.  Our estimated proved reserves, revenue, operating cash flows, operating margins, liquidity, financial condition and future earnings are highly dependent on the benchmark market prices of crude oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas, and our associated realized price differentials, which are volatile and influenced by numerous factors beyond our control.  The major foreign oil producing countries, including members of OPEC, may exert considerable influence over the supply and price of crude oil and refined petroleum products.  Their ability or inability to agree on a common policy on rates of production and other matters may have a significant impact on the oil markets.  Other factors include, but are not limited to: worldwide and domestic supplies of and demand for crude oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas, political conditions and events (including instability, changes in governments, or armed conflict) around the world and in particular in crude oil or natural gas producing regions, the cost of exploring for, developing and producing crude oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas, the price and availability of alternative fuels or other forms of energy, the effect of energy conservation and environmental protection efforts and overall economic conditions globally.  The sentiment of commodities trading markets as well as other supply and demand factors may also influence the selling prices of crude oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas.  Average prices for 2017 were $50.85 per barrel for WTI (2016: $43.47; 2015: $48.76) and $54.74 per barrel for Brent (2016: $45.13; 2015: $53.60).  In order to manage the potential volatility of cash flows and credit requirements, we maintain significant bank credit facilities.  An inability to access, renew or replace such credit facilities or access other sources of funding as they mature would negatively impact our liquidity.

If we fail to successfully increase our reserves, our future crude oil and natural gas production will be adversely impacted.  We own or have access to a finite amount of oil and gas reserves, which will be depleted over time.  Replacement of oil and gas production and reserves, including proved undeveloped reserves, is subject to successful exploration drilling, development activities, and enhanced recovery programs.  Therefore, future oil and gas production is dependent on technical success in finding and developing additional hydrocarbon reserves.  Exploration activity involves the interpretation of seismic and other geological and geophysical data, which does not always successfully predict the presence of commercial quantities of hydrocarbons.  Drilling risks include unexpected adverse conditions, irregularities in pressure or formations, equipment failure, blowouts and weather interruptions.  Future developments may be affected by unforeseen reservoir conditions, which negatively affect recovery factors or flow rates.  Reserve replacement can also be achieved through acquisition.  Similar risks, however, may be encountered in the production of oil and gas on properties acquired from others.  In addition to the technical risks to reserve replacement, replacing reserves and developing future production is also influenced by the price of crude oil and natural gas and costs of drilling and development activities.  Lower crude oil and natural gas prices, may have the effect of reducing capital available for exploration and development activity and may render certain development projects uneconomic or delay their completion and may result in negative revisions to existing reserves while increasing drilling and development costs could negatively affect expected economic returns.

There are inherent uncertainties in estimating quantities of proved reserves and discounted future net cash flows, and actual quantities may be lower than estimated.  Numerous uncertainties exist in estimating quantities of proved reserves and future net revenues from those reserves.  Actual future production, oil and gas prices, revenues, taxes, capital expenditures, operating expenses, and quantities of recoverable oil and gas reserves may vary substantially from those assumed in the estimates and could materially affect the estimated quantities of our proved reserves and the related future net revenues.  In addition, reserve estimates may be subject to downward or upward changes based on production performance, purchases or sales of properties, results of future development, prevailing oil and gas prices, production sharing contracts, which may decrease reserves as crude oil and natural gas prices increase, and other factors.  Crude oil prices declined significantly in 2015 and to a lesser extent in 2016, relative to preceding years, resulting in reductions to our reported proved reserves.  In contrast, crude oil prices improved somewhat in 2017 resulting in increases to our reported proved reserves.  If crude oil prices in 2018 average below prices used to determine proved reserves at December 31, 2017, it could have an adverse effect on our estimates of proved reserve volumes and on the value of our business.  See Crude Oil and Natural Gas Reserves in Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates in Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

We do not always control decisions made under joint operating agreements and the parties under such agreements may fail to meet their obligations.  We conduct many of our E&P operations through joint operating agreements with other parties under which we may not control decisions, either because we do not have a controlling interest or are not operator under the agreement.  There is risk that these parties may at any time have economic, business, or legal interests or goals that

 

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are inconsistent with ours, and therefore decisions may be made which are not what we believe is in our best interest.  Moreover, parties to these agreements may be unable to meet their economic or other obligations and we may be required to fulfill those obligations alone.  In either case, the value of our investment may be adversely affected.

We are subject to changing laws and regulations and other governmental actions that can significantly and adversely affect our business.  Federal, state, local, territorial and foreign laws and regulations relating to tax increases and retroactive tax claims, disallowance of tax credits and deductions, expropriation or nationalization of property, mandatory government participation, cancellation or amendment of contract rights, imposition of capital controls or blocking of funds, changes in import and export regulations, limitations on access to exploration and development opportunities, anti-bribery or anti-corruption laws, as well as other political developments may affect our operations.

We have substantial capital requirements, and we may not be able to obtain needed financing on satisfactory terms, if at all.  The exploration, development and production of crude oil and natural gas involves substantial costs, which may not be fully funded from operations.  For example, in 2017, we had a significant net loss and, unless commodity prices are considerably higher through 2018, we are forecasting a net loss for 2018.  Two of the three major credit rating agencies that rate our debt have assigned an investment grade rating.  Although, currently we do not have any borrowings under our long-term credit facility, a ratings downgrade, continued weakness in the oil and gas industry or negative outcomes within commodity and financial markets could adversely impact our access to capital markets by increasing the costs of financing, or by impacting our ability to obtain financing on satisfactory terms, or at all.  In addition, a ratings downgrade may require that we issue letters of credit or provide other forms of collateral under certain contractual requirements.  Any inability to access capital markets could adversely impact our financial adaptability and our ability to execute our strategy and may also expose us to heightened exposure to credit risk.

Political instability in areas where we operate can adversely affect our business.  Some of the international areas in which we operate, and the partners with whom we operate, are politically less stable than other areas and partners and may be subject to civil unrest, conflict, insurgency, geographic territorial border disputes, corruption, security risks and labor unrest.  Political and civil unrest in North Africa and the Middle East has affected and may affect our operations in these areas as well as oil and gas markets generally.  The threat of terrorism around the world also poses additional risks to the operations of the oil and gas industry.

Our oil and gas operations are subject to environmental risks and environmental laws and regulations that can result in significant costs and liabilities.  Our oil and gas operations, like those of the industry, are subject to environmental risks such as oil spills, produced water spills, gas leaks and ruptures and discharges of substances or gases that could expose us to substantial liability for pollution or other environmental damage.  Our operations are also subject to numerous U.S. federal, state, local and foreign environmental laws and regulations.  Non‑compliance with these laws and regulations may subject us to administrative, civil or criminal penalties, remedial clean-ups and natural resource damages or other liabilities.  In addition, increasingly stringent environmental regulations have resulted and will likely continue to result in higher capital expenditures and operating expenses for us and the oil and gas industry in general.  Similarly, we have material legal obligations to dismantle, remove and abandon production facilities and wells that will occur many years in the future, in most cases.  These estimates may be impacted by future changes in regulations and other uncertainties.

Concerns have been raised in certain jurisdictions where we have operations concerning the safety and environmental impact of the drilling and development of shale oil and gas resources, particularly hydraulic fracturing, water usage, flaring of associated natural gas and air emissions.  While we believe that these operations can be conducted safely and with minimal impact on the environment, regulatory bodies are responding to these concerns and may impose moratoriums and new regulations on such drilling operations that would likely have the effect of prohibiting or delaying such operations and increasing their cost.

Climate change initiatives may result in significant operational changes and expenditures, reduced demand for our products and adversely affect our business.  We recognize that climate change is a global environmental concern.  Continuing political and social attention to the issue of climate change has resulted in both existing and pending international agreements and national, regional or local legislation and regulatory measures to limit greenhouse gas emissions.  These agreements and measures may require, or could result in future legislation and regulatory measures that require, significant equipment modifications, operational changes, taxes, or purchase of emission credits to reduce emission of greenhouse gases from our operations, which may result in substantial capital expenditures and compliance, operating, maintenance and remediation costs.  In addition, our production is sold to third parties that produce petroleum fuels, which through normal end user consumption result in the emission of greenhouse gases.  Regulatory initiatives to reduce the use of these fuels may reduce demand for crude oil and other hydrocarbons and have an adverse effect on our sales volumes, revenues and margins.  The imposition and enforcement of stringent greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets could severely and adversely impact the oil and gas industry and significantly reduce the value of our business.  Furthermore, increasing attention to climate change risks has resulted in increased likelihood of governmental investigations and private litigation, which could increase

 

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our costs or otherwise adversely affect our business.  For example, in 2017 certain municipalities in California separately filed lawsuits against over 30 fossil fuel producers, including us, for alleged damages purportedly caused by climate change.

Our industry is highly competitive and many of our competitors are larger and have greater resources than we have.  The petroleum industry is highly competitive and very capital intensive.  We encounter competition from numerous companies in each of our activities, including acquiring rights to explore for crude oil and natural gas.  To a lesser extent, we are also in competition with producers of alternative fuels or other forms of energy, including wind, solar and electric power, and in the future could face increasing competition due to the development and adoption of new technologies.  Many competitors, including national oil companies, are larger and have substantially greater resources.  Increased competition for worldwide oil and gas assets could significantly increase the cost of acquiring oil and gas assets.  In addition, competition for drilling services, technical expertise and equipment may affect the availability of technical personnel and drilling rigs, resulting in increased capital and operating costs.

Catastrophic events, whether naturally occurring or man‑made, may materially affect our operations and financial conditions.  Our oil and gas operations are subject to unforeseen occurrences which have affected us from time to time and which may damage or destroy assets, interrupt operations and have other significant adverse effects.  Examples of catastrophic risks include hurricanes, fires, explosions, blowouts, pipeline interruptions and ruptures, severe weather, geological events, labor disputes or cyber‑attacks.  We maintain insurance coverage against many, but not all, potential losses and liabilities in amounts we deem prudent, including for property and casualty losses.  There can be no assurance that such insurance will adequately protect us against liability from all potential consequences and damages.  Moreover, some forms of insurance may be unavailable in the future or be available only on terms that are deemed economically unacceptable.

Significant time delays between the estimated and actual occurrence of critical events associated with development projects may result in material negative economic consequences.  As part of our business, we are involved in large development projects, the completion of which may be delayed beyond what was originally planned.  Such examples include, but are not limited to, delays in receiving necessary approvals from project members or regulatory agencies, timely access to necessary equipment, availability of necessary personnel, construction delays, unfavorable weather conditions and equipment failures.  This may lead to delays and differences between estimated and actual timing of critical events.  These delays could impact our future results of operations and cash flows.

Departures of key members from our senior management team, and/or difficulty in recruiting and retaining adequate numbers of experienced technical personnel, could negatively impact our ability to deliver on our strategic goals.  Our future success depends upon the continued service of key members of our senior management team, who play an important role in developing and implementing our strategy.  The departure of key members of senior management or an inability to recruit and retain adequate numbers of experienced technical and professional personnel in the necessary locations may prevent us from executing our strategy in full or, in part, which could negatively impact our business.

We are dependent on oilfield service companies for items including drilling rigs, equipment, supplies and skilled labor.  An inability or significant delay in securing these services, or a high cost thereof, may result in material negative economic consequences.  The availability and cost of drilling rigs, equipment, supplies and skilled labor will fluctuate over time given the cyclical nature of the E&P industry.  As a result, we may encounter difficulties in obtaining required services or could face an increase in cost.  These consequences may impact our ability to run our operations and to deliver projects on time with the potential for material negative economic consequences.

We manage commodity price and other risks through our risk management function but such activities may impede our ability to benefit from commodity price increases and can expose us to similar potential counterparty credit risk as impacts amounts due from the sale of hydrocarbons.  We may enter into additional commodity price hedging arrangements to protect us from commodity price declines.  These arrangements may, depending on the instruments used and the level of increases involved, limit any potential upside from commodity price increases.  As with accounts receivable we may be exposed to potential economic loss should a counterparty be unable or unwilling to perform their obligations under the terms of a hedging agreement.  In addition, we are exposed to risks related to changes in interest rates and foreign currency values, and may engage in hedging activities to mitigate related volatility.

One of our subsidiaries is the general partner of a publicly traded master limited partnership, Hess Midstream Partners LP.  The responsibilities associated with being a general partner expose the us to a broader range of legal liabilities.  Our control of Hess Midstream Partners LP bestows upon us additional fiduciary duties including, but not limited to, the obligations associated with managing potential conflicts of interests, additional reporting requirements from the Securities and Exchange Commission and the provision of tax information to unit holders of Hess Midstream Partners LP.  These heightened duties expose us to additional potential for legal claims that may have a material negative economic impact on our shareholders.  Moreover, these increased duties may lead to an increase in compliance costs and may divert management resource from our other operations.

 

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Disruption, failure or cyber security breaches affecting or targeting computer, telecommunications systems, and infrastructure used by the Company may materially impact our business and operations.  Computers and telecommunication systems are used to conduct our exploration, development and production activities and have become an integral part of our business.  We use these systems to analyze and store financial and operating data and to communicate within our company and with outside business partners.  Technical system flaws, power loss, cyber security risks, including cyber or phishing-attacks, unauthorized access, malicious software, data privacy breaches by employees or others with authorized access, ransomware, and other cyber security issues could compromise our computer and telecommunications systems and result in disruptions to our business operations or the access, disclosure or loss of our data and proprietary information.  In addition, computers control oil and gas production, processing equipment, and distribution systems globally and are necessary to deliver our production to market.  A disruption, failure or a cyber breach of these operating systems, or of the networks and infrastructure on which they rely, could damage critical production, distribution and/or storage assets, delay or prevent delivery to markets, and make it difficult or impossible to accurately account for production and settle transactions.  As a result, a disruption, failure or a cyber breach of these operating systems, or of the networks and infrastructure on which they rely and any resulting investigation or remediation costs, litigation or regulatory action could have a material adverse impact on our cash flows and results of operations, reputation and competitiveness.  We routinely experience attempts by external parties to penetrate and attack our networks and systems.  Although such attempts to date have not resulted in any material breaches, disruptions, or loss of business-critical information, our systems and procedures for protecting against such attacks and mitigating such risks may prove to be insufficient in the future and such attacks could have an adverse impact on our business and operations, including damage to our reputation and competitiveness, remediation costs, litigation or regulatory actions.  In addition, as technologies evolve and these cyber security attacks become more sophisticated, we may incur significant costs to upgrade or enhance our security measures to protect against such attacks and we may face difficulties in fully anticipating or implementing adequate preventive measures or mitigating potential harm.

Item 1B.  Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

Item 3.  Legal Proceedings

We, along with many companies that have been or continue to be engaged in refining and marketing of gasoline, have been a party to lawsuits and claims related to the use of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) in gasoline.  A series of similar lawsuits, many involving water utilities or governmental entities, were filed in jurisdictions across the U.S. against producers of MTBE and petroleum refiners who produced gasoline containing MTBE, including us.  The principal allegation in all cases was that gasoline containing MTBE is a defective product and that these parties are strictly liable in proportion to their share of the gasoline market for damage to groundwater resources and are required to take remedial action to ameliorate the alleged effects on the environment of releases of MTBE.  The majority of the cases asserted against us have been settled.  There are four remaining active cases, filed by Pennsylvania, Vermont, Rhode Island, and Maryland.  In June 2014, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the State of Vermont each filed independent lawsuits alleging that we and all major oil companies with operations in each respective state, have damaged the groundwater in those states by introducing thereto gasoline with MTBE.  The Pennsylvania suit has been removed to Federal court and has been forwarded to the existing MTBE multidistrict litigation pending in the Southern District of New York.  The suit filed in Vermont is proceeding there in a state court.  In September 2016, the State of Rhode Island also filed a lawsuit alleging that we and other major oil companies damaged the groundwater in Rhode Island by introducing thereto gasoline with MTBE.  The suit filed in Rhode Island is proceeding in Federal court.  In December 2017, the State of Maryland filed a lawsuit alleging that we and other major oil companies damaged the groundwater in Maryland by introducing thereto gasoline with MTBE.  The suit filed in Maryland was filed in state court, but has not been served to date.

In September 2003, we received a directive from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to remediate contamination in the sediments of the Lower Passaic River.  The NJDEP is also seeking natural resource damages.  The directive, insofar as it affects us, relates to alleged releases from a petroleum bulk storage terminal in Newark, New Jersey we previously owned.  We and over 70 companies entered into an Administrative Order on Consent with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to study the same contamination; this work remains ongoing.  We and other parties settled a cost recovery claim by the State of New Jersey and also agreed with EPA to fund remediation of a portion of the site.  On March 4, 2016, the EPA issued a Record of Decision (ROD) in respect of the lower eight miles of the Lower Passaic River, selecting a remedy that includes bank-to-bank dredging at an estimated cost of $1.38 billion.  The ROD does not address the upper nine miles of the Lower Passaic River or the Newark Bay, which may require additional remedial action.  In addition, the federal trustees for natural resources have begun a separate assessment of damages to natural resources in the Passaic River.  Given that the EPA has not selected a remedy for the entirety of the Lower Passaic River or the Newark Bay, total remedial costs cannot be reliably estimated at this time.  Based on currently known facts and circumstances, we do not

 

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believe that this matter will result in a significant liability to us because there are numerous other parties who we expect will share in the cost of remediation and damages and our former terminal did not store or use contaminants which are of the greatest concern in the river sediments and could not have contributed contamination along most of the river’s length.

In March 2014, we received an Administrative Order from EPA requiring us and 26 other parties to undertake the Remedial Design for the remedy selected by the EPA for the Gowanus Canal Superfund Site in Brooklyn, New York.  The remedy includes dredging of surface sediments and the placement of a cap over the deeper sediments throughout the Canal and in-situ stabilization of certain contaminated sediments that will remain in place below the cap.  EPA has estimated that this remedy will cost $506 million; however, the ultimate costs that will be incurred in connection with the design and implementation of the remedy remain uncertain.  Our alleged liability derives from our former ownership and operation of a fuel oil terminal and connected ship-building and repair facility adjacent to the Canal.  We indicated to EPA that we would comply with the Administrative Order and are currently contributing funding for the Remedial Design based on an interim allocation of costs among the parties.  At the same time, we are participating in an allocation process whereby a neutral expert selected by the parties will determine the final shares of the Remedial Design costs to be paid by each of the participants.  

On September 28, 2017, we received a general notice letter and offer to settle from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency relating to Superfund claims for the Ector Drum, Inc. Superfund Site in Odessa, TX.  The EPA and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) took clean-up and response action at the site commencing in 2014 and concluded in December 2015.  The site was determined to have improperly stored industrial waste, including drums with oily liquids.  The total clean-up cost incurred by the EPA was approximately $3.5 million.  We were invited to negotiate a voluntary settlement for our purported share of the clean-up costs.  Our share, if any, is undetermined.  

We periodically receive notices from the EPA that we are a “potential responsible party” under the Superfund legislation with respect to various waste disposal sites. Under this legislation, all potentially responsible parties may be jointly and severally liable.  For certain sites, such as those discussed above, the EPA’s claims or assertions of liability against us relating to these sites have not been fully developed.  With respect to the remaining sites, the EPA’s claims have been settled, or a proposed settlement is under consideration, in all cases for amounts that are not material.  The ultimate impact of these proceedings, and of any related proceedings by private parties, on our business or accounts cannot be predicted at this time due to the large number of other potentially responsible parties and the speculative nature of clean-up cost estimates, but is not expected to be material.

From time to time, we are involved in other judicial and administrative proceedings, including proceedings relating to other environmental matters.  We cannot predict with certainty if, how or when such proceedings will be resolved or what the eventual relief, if any, may be, particularly for proceedings that are in their early stages of development or where plaintiffs seek indeterminate damages.  Numerous issues may need to be resolved, including through potentially lengthy discovery and determination of important factual matters before a loss or range of loss can be reasonably estimated for any proceeding.

Subject to the foregoing, in management’s opinion, based upon currently known facts and circumstances, the outcome of the aforementioned proceedings are not expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosures

None.

 

 

 

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PART II

Item 5.  Market for the Registrant’s Common Stock, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Stock Market Information

Our common stock is traded principally on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker symbol: HES).  High and low sales prices were as follows:

Performance Graph

Set forth below is a line graph comparing the five-year shareholder returns on a $100 investment in our common stock assuming reinvestment of dividends, against the cumulative total returns for the following:

 

Comparison of Five‑Year Shareholder Returns

Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Holders

At December 31, 2017, there were 3,260 stockholders (based on the number of holders of record) who owned a total of 315,053,615 shares of common stock.

Dividends

In 2017, 2016 and 2015, cash dividends on common stock totaled $1.00 per share per year ($0.25 per quarter).

Share Repurchase Activities

Our share repurchase activities for the year ended December 31, 2017, were as follows:

Equity Compensation Plans

Following is information related to our equity compensation plans at December 31, 2017.

See Note 11, Share‑based Compensation in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of our equity compensation plans.

 

 

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Item 6.  Selected Financial Data

The following is a five‑year summary of selected financial data that should be read in conjunction with both our Consolidated Financial Statements and Accompanying Notes, and Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included elsewhere in this Annual Report:

 

 

 

 

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Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Overview

Hess Corporation, incorporated in the State of Delaware in 1920, is a global Exploration and Production (E&P) company engaged in exploration, development, production, transportation, purchase and sale of crude oil, natural gas liquids, and natural gas with production operations located primarily in the United States (U.S.), Denmark, the Malaysia/Thailand Joint Development Area (JDA) and Malaysia.  The Corporation conducts exploration activities primarily offshore Guyana, Suriname, Canada and in the Gulf of Mexico, including at the Stabroek Block, offshore Guyana, where we have participated in six significant crude oil discoveries and sanctioned the first phase of a multi-phase development project at the Liza Field.  During 2017, we sold our interests in Equatorial Guinea, Norway and our enhanced oil recovery assets in the Permian Basin, onshore U.S.  The 2017 asset sales of higher cost, mature assets will provide funds toward our future development projects in the Stabroek Block, offshore Guyana.  In the fourth quarter of 2017, we announced that we would commence a process to sell our interests in Denmark in 2018.  These actions reflect the execution of our strategy to grow our resource base in a capital disciplined manner and to be cash generative at a $50 per barrel Brent oil price post 2020.

The Corporation’s Midstream operating segment provides fee-based services, including gathering, compressing and processing natural gas and fractionating natural gas liquids (NGLs); gathering, terminaling, loading and transporting crude oil and NGLs; and storing and terminaling propane, primarily in the Bakken and Three Forks Shale plays in the Williston Basin area of North Dakota.  Beginning January 1, 2017, Hess’ Midstream segment included our interest in a Permian gas plant in West Texas and related CO₂ assets, and water handling assets in North Dakota as a result of organizational changes to the management of those assets.  Prior period information has been recast to conform to the current period presentation.  See Note 22, Segment Information in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. In the third quarter of 2017, we completed the sale of our Midstream assets in the Permian Basin.  See Note 2, Dispositions in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.  

Outlook

The Corporation and its partners have discovered significant crude oil and natural gas resources on the Stabroek Block, offshore Guyana, which will require substantial capital and time to fully develop.  As a result of these discovered fields, which are expected to have a lower development cost than other assets in our portfolio, we have changed the priorities of our future investment plans, and have divested of higher cost, mature assets to provide funds toward future development of Guyana.  In addition, we have announced plans to reduce debt and repurchase common stock.

We project our E&P capital and exploratory expenditures will be approximately $2.1 billion in 2018, up from $2.0 billion in 2017, reflecting increased activity at the Liza Field development project and a higher rig count in the Bakken, partially offset by lower spend at the Stampede Field and North Malay Basin development projects.  Capital expenditures, including equity investments, for our Midstream operations are expected to be approximately $330 million.  Oil and gas production in 2018 is forecast to be in the range of 245,000 boepd to 255,000 boepd excluding any contribution from Libya and reflecting an estimated 15,000 boepd reduction due to the extended Enchilada platform shutdown, up from 242,000 boepd in 2017, excluding Libya and assets sold.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $945 million in 2017, compared to $795 million in 2016, while capital expenditures for 2017 and 2016 were $1,973 million and $1,921 million, respectively.  Based on current forward strip crude oil prices, we forecast a net operating cash flow deficit (including capital expenditures) in 2018.  The Corporation expects to fund its 2018 net operating cash flow deficit (including capital expenditures), reduce debt by $500 million and repurchase $380 million of common stock with existing cash and cash equivalents, which was $4.5 billion at December 31, 2017, excluding Midstream.

Consolidated Results

Net loss attributable to Hess Corporation was $4,074 million in 2017 (2016: $6,132 million; 2015: $3,056 million).  Excluding items affecting comparability summarized on page 26, the adjusted net loss was $1,401 million in 2017 (2016: $1,489 million; 2015: $1,113 million).  Annual production averaged 306,000 boepd in 2017 (2016: 322,000 boepd; 2015: 375,000 boepd).  Total proved reserves were 1,154 million boe at December 31, 2017 (2016: 1,109 million boe; 2015: 1,086 million boe).

 

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Significant 2017 Activities

The following is an update of significant E&P activities during 2017:

Producing E&P assets:

At the Hess operated Stampede development project in the Green Canyon area of the Gulf of Mexico, in 2017 we completed installation of the tension leg platform and subsea equipment, finished drilling and completing three production wells, and received regulatory approval for production operations at the end of the year.  In January 2018, we commenced production from the field, which is expected to ramp up over the next 18 months as we continue a drilling program of three additional production wells and four water injection wells.

Other E&P assets:

An application for an environmental permit to develop the second phase at Liza has been submitted.  The concept for Phase 2 involves the use of a larger FPSO vessel and subsea systems that would have a production

 

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capacity of approximately 220,000 bopd, with first production expected by mid-2022.  Planning is also underway for a third phase of development with an FPSO vessel at the Payara Field with first production planned for 2023 or 2024.  The size of the third ship will depend upon the results of future exploration and appraisal drilling.

In 2017, the following wells were drilled on the Stabroek Block (in chronological order):

Payara-1:  The well, located approximately 10 miles northwest of the Liza discovery, encountered 95 feet of high-quality, oil bearing sandstone reservoirs.

Snoek-1: The well encountered more than 82 feet of high-quality, oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs and is located approximately 5 miles southeast of the Liza-1 oil discovery.

Liza-4: The well encountered more than 197 feet of high-quality, oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs.

Payara-2: The well encountered 59 feet of high-quality, oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs and confirmed a second large oil field in addition to the Liza Field.  The well is located approximately 12 miles northwest from the Liza Phase 1 project.  

Turbot-1: The well encountered a reservoir of 75 feet of high-quality, oil-bearing sandstone in the primary objective.  The well is located approximately 30 miles to the southeast of the Liza Phase 1 project.

In January 2018, the operator announced a sixth oil discovery at the Ranger prospect.  The Ranger-1 well encountered approximately 230 feet of high-quality, oil-bearing carbonate reservoir, and is located approximately 60 miles to the northwest of the Liza Field.  In 2018, additional drilling is planned, including appraisal of the Liza, Turbot and Ranger discoveries, as well as a wider exploration program that will target additional prospects and play types on the block.  Drilling of the Pacora prospect commenced in January.

The following is an update of significant Midstream activities during 2017:

During 2017, the Midstream segment brought online key strategic projects, including safe and successful start-up of the Hawkeye Gas Facility, the Hawkeye Oil Facility and the Johnson’s Corner Header System.  These projects have increased the Midstream segment’s throughput volumes, customer optionality and system connectivity.  Hess Midstream has also recently executed a strategic gas processing joint venture with Targa Resources Corp. that will further support the production growth in the Bakken.

 

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U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

The enactment of U.S. federal tax reform, commonly referred to as the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“Act”), provided for broad changes to the taxation of both domestic and foreign operations.  The provisions of the Act, including its extensive transition rules, are complex and interpretive guidance continues to develop.  Final application of the Act to our operations and financial results may differ from that for which we have provisionally provided as of December 31, 2017.  Changes could arise as regulatory and interpretive action continues to clarify aspects of the Act and as changes are made to estimates that the Corporation has utilized in calculating the transition impacts.

No U.S. federal tax has been accrued on the deemed repatriation of unremitted earnings of our foreign subsidiaries.  A decrease in the U.S. federal corporate tax rate to 21% from 35% resulted in a $1,476 million reduction to our U.S. federal net deferred tax asset as of December 31, 2017, with a corresponding reduction in the previously established U.S. valuation allowance.  A deferred tax liability of $110 million no longer meets the recognition criteria with the transition to a territorial regime for U.S. taxation of foreign earnings and has been derecognized, with a corresponding adjustment to the valuation allowance against the U.S. federal net deferred tax asset.  Under the transition rules related to the repeal of the alternative minimum tax regime, an alternative minimum tax credit carryforward of $4 million will be refundable if not used to offset regular tax liability.  The previously established valuation allowance against this credit carryforward has been released.  Consequently, these tax law changes resulted in a net $4 million increase to net deferred tax asset on the balance sheet and benefit to deferred tax expense.  

Liquidity and Capital and Exploratory Expenditures

In 2017, net cash provided by operating activities was $945 million (2016: $795 million; 2015: $1,981 million).  At December 31, 2017, consolidated cash and cash equivalents were $4,847 million (2016: $2,732 million), consolidated debt was $6,977 million (2016: $6,806 million), and our consolidated debt to capitalization ratio was 36.1% (2016: 30.4%).

Capital and exploratory expenditures were as follows (in millions):

 

Exploration expenses charged to income included in E&P capital and exploratory expenditures above were:

 

 

In 2018, we plan to incur approximately $2.1 billion on E&P capital and exploratory expenditures, and approximately $330 million on Midstream capital expenditures, including equity investments.

 

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Consolidated Results of Operations

Results Including Items Affecting Comparability of Earnings Between Periods:

The after-tax income (loss) by major operating activity is summarized below:

 

In the following discussion and elsewhere in this report, the financial effects of certain transactions are disclosed on an after-tax basis.  Management reviews segment earnings on an after-tax basis and uses after-tax amounts in its review of variances in segment earnings.  Management believes that after-tax amounts are a preferable method of explaining variances in earnings, since they show the entire effect of a transaction rather than only the pre-tax amount.  After-tax amounts are determined by applying the income tax rate in each tax jurisdiction to pre-tax amounts.

Items Affecting Comparability of Earnings Between Periods:

The following table summarizes items of income (expense) that are included in net income (loss) and affect comparability of earnings between periods.  The items in the table below are explained on pages 31 through 36.

The following table reconciles reported net income (loss) attributable to Hess Corporation and adjusted net income (loss):

Adjusted net income (loss) attributable to Hess Corporation presented in this report is a non-GAAP financial measure, which we define as reported net income (loss) attributable to Hess Corporation excluding items identified as affecting comparability of earnings between periods.  Management uses adjusted net income (loss) to evaluate the Corporation’s operating performance and believes that investors’ understanding of our performance is enhanced by disclosing this measure, which excludes certain items that management believes are not directly related to ongoing operations and are not indicative of future business trends and operations.  This measure is not, and should not be viewed as, a substitute for U.S. GAAP net income (loss).

 

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The following table presents pre-tax items affecting comparability of income (expense) by line item that are included in the Statement of Consolidated Income on page 50.  The items in the table below are explained on pages 31 through 36.

Comparison of Results

Exploration and Production

Following is a summarized income statement of our E&P operations:

 

 

Excluding the E&P items affecting comparability of earnings between periods in the table on page 31, the changes in E&P results are primarily attributable to changes in selling prices, production and sales volumes, marketing expenses, cash operating costs, Midstream tariffs, depreciation, depletion and amortization, exploration expenses and income taxes, as discussed below.

 

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Selling Prices: Average worldwide realized crude oil selling prices, including hedging, were 26% higher in 2017 compared to the prior year, primarily due to the increase in Brent and WTI crude oil prices.  In addition, realized worldwide selling prices for natural gas liquids increased in 2017 by 84% and worldwide natural gas prices remained unchanged, compared to the prior year.  In total, higher realized selling prices improved 2017 financial results by approximately $350 million after income taxes compared with 2016.  Our average selling prices were as follows:

During 2017, we purchased Brent crude oil price collars to hedge 20,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd) with a weighted average contract life of 10.3 months in 2017.  The collars had a floor price of $55 per barrel and a ceiling price of $75 per barrel.  We also purchased West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil price collars to hedge 110,000 bopd with a weighted average contract life of 7.6 months in 2017 that had a floor price of $50 per barrel and an average ceiling price of $69 per barrel.  At December 31, 2017, we have open WTI crude oil price collars with an average monthly floor price of $50 per barrel and an average monthly ceiling price of $65 per barrel with a notional amount of 115,000 bopd for full year 2018.  See Note 23, Financial Risk Management Activities in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 

Realized and unrealized movements in crude oil price collars decreased Sales and other operating revenues by $59 million ($59 million after income taxes) in 2017 and increased Sales and other operating revenues by $126 million ($79 million after income taxes) in 2015.  There were no crude oil hedge contracts in 2016.

 

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Production Volumes:  Our daily worldwide net production was as follows:

In 2018, we expect net production, excluding Libya and reflecting an estimated 15,000 boepd reduction due to the extended Enchilada platform shutdown, to average between 245,000 boepd and 255,000 boepd, compared to full year pro forma 2017 net production, excluding Libya and assets sold, of 242,000 boepd.  

Production variances related to 2017, 2016 and 2015 are summarized as follows:

United States:  Onshore crude oil production was lower in 2017, compared to 2016, primarily due to the sale of our Permian assets in August 2017.  Onshore natural gas production was lower in 2017 compared to 2016, primarily due to natural decline in the Utica shale play.  Total offshore production was lower in 2017 compared to 2016, due to production from several fields being shut-in following a fire at the third-party operated Enchilada platform in November 2017 and natural field decline, partially offset by higher production from the Tubular Bells Field.  Onshore crude oil production was lower in 2016, compared to 2015, primarily due to reduced drilling activity in the Bakken shale play in response to low oil prices, while the increase in natural gas liquids production was primarily due to greater processed volumes at the Tioga gas plant.  Onshore natural gas production was higher in 2016, compared to 2015, primarily due to a higher number of wells being on production in the Utica shale play relative to the prior year.  Total offshore production was lower in 2016, compared to 2015, primarily due to subsurface valve failures in three wells at the Tubular Bells Field, a shut-in well to replace a subsurface valve at the Conger Field, extended planned shutdowns on third-party hosted production facilities at the Tubular Bells and Conger Fields, and natural field decline.  Our interests in Permian, which were sold in August, averaged net production of 4,000 boepd in 2017 (2016: 7,000 boepd; 2015: 9,000 boepd).  

 

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Europe:  Crude oil and natural gas production was lower in 2017, compared to 2016, primarily due to natural field decline.  Crude oil production was lower in 2016, compared to 2015, primarily due to lower drilling activity, natural field decline and a planned shutdown at the Valhall Field, offshore Norway.  Our interests in Norway, which were sold in December, averaged net production of 24,000 boepd in 2017 (2016: 28,000 boepd; 2015: 33,000 boepd).  

Africa:  Crude oil production in 2017 was comparable to 2016, as lower volumes from Equatorial Guinea, which was sold in November 2017, was offset by higher production in Libya.  Crude oil production in Africa was lower in 2016, compared to 2015, as a result of reduced drilling activity in Equatorial Guinea and the sale of our Algeria asset in the fourth quarter of 2015.  Our interests in Equatorial Guinea averaged net production of 25,000 boepd in 2017 (2016: 33,000 boepd; 2015: 43,000 boepd).  

Asia:  Natural gas production was higher in 2017, compared to 2016, primarily due to first production at the North Malay Basin full-field development in July 2017.  Natural gas production was lower in 2016, compared to 2015, primarily due to the planned shutdown of production facilities at the JDA in 2016 to commission a booster compressor project and from lower production entitlement.

Sales Volumes:  The impact of lower sales volumes decreased after-tax results by approximately $190 million in 2017 compared to 2016.  Worldwide sales volumes from Hess net production, excluding purchased crude oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas, were as follows:

Marketing, including purchased oil and gas:  This expense category is mainly comprised of costs to purchase crude oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas from our partners in Hess operated wells or other third-parties, primarily in the U.S., and associated transportation costs for U.S. marketing activities.  The increase in 2017, compared to 2016 principally reflects the impact of higher benchmark crude oil prices on the cost of purchased volumes.  The decrease in 2016, compared to 2015, principally reflects the decline in crude oil prices and lower volumes purchased.

Cash Operating Costs:  Cash operating costs, consisting of operating costs and expenses, production and severance taxes and E&P general and administrative expenses, decreased by $401 million in 2017 compared with the prior year (2016: $197 million decrease versus 2015).  The decrease in 2017, compared to 2016, is due to lower workover expenses, lease operating and employee costs, partially offset by higher production taxes in the Bakken.  The decrease in 2016 compared to 2015 is due to lower production and cost reduction efforts, and lower production taxes in the Bakken.  Operating costs in 2016 include higher workover costs to replace failed subsurface valves in the Gulf of Mexico.

Midstream Tariffs Expense:  Tariffs expense in 2017 increased, compared to 2016, primarily due to higher shortfall fees in 2017.  Tariffs expense in 2016 increased, compared to 2015, primarily due to increased oil gathering tariffs and shortfall fees in 2016, partially offset by lower gas volumes processed through the Tioga gas plant.  For 2018, we estimate Midstream tariffs expense to be in the range of $625 million to $650 million.  

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization:  Depreciation, depletion and amortization (DD&A) costs decreased by $377 million in 2017, compared to 2016, primarily due to lower production and an improved portfolio average DD&A rate due to the production mix.  DD&A costs decreased in 2016, compared to 2015, primarily due to lower production and an improved portfolio average DD&A rate due to the production mix.

 

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Unit costs:  Unit cost per boe information is based on total E&P production volumes and excludes items affecting comparability of earnings as disclosed below.  Actual and forecast unit costs are as follows:

Exploration Expenses:  Exploration expenses, including items affecting comparability of earnings described below, were as follows:

Exploration expenses were lower in 2017, compared to 2016, primarily due to lower dry hole expense, leasehold impairment expense, geologic and seismic costs, and employee expenses.  Exploration expenses were higher in 2016, compared to 2015, primarily due to higher dry hole expense partially offset by lower leasehold impairment expense, geologic and seismic costs, and employee expenses.  See items affecting comparability of earnings between periods described below.  For 2018, we estimate exploration expenses, excluding dry hole expense, to be in the range of $190 million to $210 million.

Income Taxes:  The E&P income tax provision was a benefit of $1,842 million in 2017 (2016:  $1,587 million expense; 2015: $1,117 million benefit).  Excluding items affecting comparability between periods, the E&P income tax provision was an expense of $95 million in 2017 (2016: $948 million benefit; 2015: $731 million benefit).  The provision in 2017 reflects higher production from Libya and lower deferred tax benefits on losses compared to the prior year.  Commencing in 2017, we are generally not recognizing deferred tax benefit or expense in certain countries, primarily the U.S., Denmark (hydrocarbon tax only), Malaysia and Guyana, while we maintain valuation allowances against net deferred tax assets in these jurisdictions in accordance with the requirements of U.S. accounting standards.  See E&P items affecting comparability of earnings below and Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates – Income Taxes on page 41.

Actual and forecast effective tax rates are as follows:

Items Affecting Comparability of Earnings Between Periods:  Reported E&P earnings included the following items affecting comparability of income (expense) before and after income taxes:

 

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The pre-tax amounts of E&P items affecting comparability of income (expense) are presented in the Statement of Consolidated Income as follows:

2017:

2016:

 

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2015:

 

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Midstream

Following is a summarized income statement of our Midstream operations, which include results for a gas plant and associated CO₂ assets in the Permian Basin (through August 2017) and water handling assets in North Dakota that are wholly-owned by Hess:

Sales and other operating revenues in 2017 increased, compared to 2016, primarily due to higher shortfall fees earned, and higher tariff rates and throughput volumes, partially offset by lower rail export revenue associated with third-party rail charges and the sale of our Permian assets in August 2017.  Total revenues and non-operating income in 2016 decreased, compared to 2015, primarily as a result of lower rail export revenue associated with third-party rail charges, partially offset by recognition of shortfall fees earned.

Operating costs and expenses were lower in 2017, compared to 2016, primarily due to lower third-party rail charges and the sale of our Permian assets in August 2017.  Operating costs and expenses were lower in 2016, compared to 2015, primarily due to a decrease in third-party rail charges.  DD&A expenses were higher in 2017, compared to 2016, primarily due to newly completed gathering pipelines and related facilities that were placed in service.  DD&A expenses were higher in 2016, compared to 2015, primarily due to capital expenditures on gathering assets and railcars that were placed in service.

The increase in interest expense in 2017, compared to 2016, and 2016 compared to 2015 reflects borrowings by Hess Infrastructure Partners LP.

For 2018, we estimate net income attributable to Hess Corporation from the Midstream segment to be in the range of $105 million to $115 million.  

Items Affecting Comparability of Earnings Between Periods:  We recognized a pre-tax loss of $57 million ($34 million after income taxes and noncontrolling interest) in 2017 related to the sale of our Midstream assets in the Permian Basin.  Midstream results in 2016 included a pre-tax charge of $67 million ($21 million after income taxes and noncontrolling interest) to impair older specification rail cars.

 

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Corporate, Interest and Other

The following table summarizes Corporate, Interest and Other expenses:

Corporate and other expenses, excluding items affecting comparability, were higher in 2017, compared to 2016, primarily due to higher legal costs, increased pension settlement charges in 2017, and the recognition of a nonrecurring gain of $8 million in 2016.  Corporate and other expenses were lower in 2016, compared to 2015, primarily due to reductions in employee costs, professional fees, and other general and administrative expenses, and the benefit of higher interest income and non-operating income.  In 2018, after-tax Corporate and other expenses, excluding items affecting comparability of earnings between periods, are estimated to be in the range of $105 million to $115 million.

Interest expense was higher in 2017, compared to 2016, primarily due to slightly higher average borrowings.  Capitalized interest expense was higher in 2017, compared to 2016, due to increased activity at the Hess operated Stampede development project and sanction of the Liza Field Phase 1 development project during 2017.  Interest expense was higher in 2016, compared to 2015, but the increase in capitalized interest expense was greater over the same period with 2016 reflecting increased activity at the Stampede development project.  In 2018 after-tax interest expense, net is estimated to be in the range of $345 million to $355 million as interest capitalization on the Stampede development will cease upon first production.

The benefit for income taxes is lower in 2017, compared to 2016, due to us generally not recognizing deferred tax benefit or expense in the U.S. while we maintain valuation allowances against net deferred tax assets in accordance with the requirements of U.S. accounting standards.  This accounting treatment commenced on December 31, 2016.  See items affecting comparability of earnings below and Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates – Income Taxes on page 41.

Items Affecting Comparability of Earnings Between Periods:  Corporate, Interest and Other results included the following items affecting comparability of income (expense) before and after income taxes:

2017:

2016:

2015:

 

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

The following table sets forth certain relevant measures of our liquidity and capital resources at December 31:

Cash Flows

The following table sets forth a summary of our cash flows:

Operating Activities:  

In 2017, net cash provided by operating activities was $945 million (2016: $795 million; 2015: $1,981 million).  In 2017, operating cash flows increased, compared to 2016, primarily due to higher benchmark crude oil prices and lower operating costs, partially offset by lower production volumes.  Changes in working capital in 2017 were a use of cash of $780 million and primarily related to higher accounts receivable due to higher crude oil prices, abandonment expenditures, premiums on crude oil hedging contracts, pension contributions, contract termination payments for an offshore drilling rig, and crude oil delivered as line fill.  In 2016, operating cash flows decreased, compared to 2015, primarily due to declining benchmark crude oil prices and changes in production volumes.

Investing Activities:  

In 2017, Additions to property, plant and equipment were lower, compared to 2016, primarily due to lower development expenditures at North Malay Basin in the current year, partially offset by increased investments in Bakken and Guyana in 2017.  The decrease in Additions to property, plant and equipment in 2016, compared to 2015, is primarily related to reduced drilling activity (Bakken, Utica, Norway, Denmark and Equatorial Guinea) and reduced development expenditures (Tubular Bells, North Malay Basin and the JDA).  

In 2017, proceeds from the sale of assets of $3,296 million (2016: $140 million; 2015: $50 million) related to the divestiture of our interests in Equatorial Guinea, Norway, our enhanced oil recovery assets in the Permian Basin, and non-core acreage, onshore United States.

 

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Financing Activities:

In 2017, Hess Midstream Partners LP received proceeds of $365.5 million from the issuance of common units in an initial public offering, of which $350 million was distributed 50/50 to Hess Corporation and GIP.  Borrowings for debt with maturities in excess of 90 days were $800 million in 2017 (2016: $1,496 million; 2015: $600 million), while associated repayments of debt were $459 million (2016: $1,455 million; 2015: $67 million).  Common and preferred stock dividends paid were $363 million in 2017 (2016: $350 million; 2015: $287 million) and we settled the repurchase of $110 million of common stock in 2017 (2016: $-; 2015: $142 million).  Net outflows to noncontrolling interests were $243 million in 2017 (2016: $23 million net outflow; 2015:  $2,296 million net inflow).  In 2016, we issued 28,750,000 shares of common stock and depositary shares representing 575,000 shares of 8% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock for total net proceeds of $1.64 billion.  

Future Capital Requirements and Resources

At December 31, 2017, Hess Corporation, had $4.5 billion in cash and cash equivalents, excluding Midstream, and total liquidity, including available committed credit facilities, of approximately $8.9 billion.  The Corporation has no significant near-term debt maturities.

Net production in 2018 is forecast to be in the range of 245,000 boepd to 255,000 boepd, excluding Libya, and we expect our 2018 E&P capital and exploratory expenditures will be approximately $2.1 billion.  Based on current forward strip crude oil prices, we forecast a net operating cash flow deficit (including capital expenditures) in 2018.  The Corporation expects to fund its 2018 net operating cash flow deficit (including capital expenditures), reduce debt by $500 million and repurchase $380 million of common stock with existing cash and cash equivalents.

On February 15, 2018, Hess Corporation redeemed $350 million principal amount of 8.125% notes due 2019 for $370 million.  

The table below summarizes the capacity, usage, and available capacity of our borrowing and letter of credit facilities at December 31, 2017:

On December 1, 2017, the Corporation amended its $4.0 billion syndicated revolving credit facility that expires in January 2020, by extending the facility for one year to January 2021, with a $3.7 billion commitment during the extension period.  Borrowings on the facility will generally bear interest at 1.30% above the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR).  The interest rate will be higher if our credit rating is lowered.  The facility contains a financial covenant that limits the amount of the total borrowings on the last day of each fiscal quarter to 60% of the Corporation’s total capitalization, defined as total debt plus stockholders’ equity.  As of December 31, 2017, Hess Corporation had no outstanding borrowings under this facility and was in compliance with this financial covenant. 

We had $246 million in letters of credit outstanding at December 31, 2017 (2016: $188 million), which primarily relate to our international operations.  See also Note 23, Financial Risk Management Activities in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

We also have a shelf registration under which we may issue additional debt securities, warrants, common stock or preferred stock.

In November 2017, HIP amended its senior unsecured syndicated credit facilities.  At December 31, 2017, HIP has $800 million of senior secured syndicated credit facilities, consisting of a $600 million 5-year revolving credit facility and a drawn $200 million 5-year Term Loan A facility.  The revolving credit facility can be used for borrowings and letters of credit to

 

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fund the joint venture’s operating activities and capital expenditures.  Borrowings under the 5-year Term Loan A facility will generally bear interest at LIBOR plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.55% to 2.50%, while the applicable margin for the 5-year syndicated revolving credit facility ranges from 1.275% to 2.000%.  The interest rate is subject to adjustment based on HIP’s leverage ratio, which is calculated as total debt to Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA).  If HIP obtains an investment grade credit rating, as defined in the amended credit agreement, pricing levels will be based on the credit ratings in effect from time to time.  The credit facilities contain financial covenants that generally require a leverage ratio of no more than 5.0 to 1.0 for the prior four fiscal quarters and an interest coverage ratio, which is calculated as EBITDA to cash interest expense, of no less than 2.25 to 1.0 for the prior four fiscal quarters.  The amended credit agreement includes a secured leverage ratio test not to exceed 3.75 to 1.00 for so long as the facilities remain secured.  HIP is in compliance with these financial covenants at December 31, 2017.  Outstanding borrowings under this credit facility are non-recourse to Hess Corporation.  At December 31, 2017, HIP’s revolving credit facility was undrawn and borrowings under the Term Loan A facility amounted to $200 million, excluding deferred issuance costs.  The credit facilities are secured by first-priority perfected liens on substantially all of HIP’s and certain of its wholly-owned subsidiaries’ directly owned assets, including its equity interests in certain subsidiaries, subject to customary exclusions.

Hess Midstream Partners LP (the “Partnership”) has a $300 million 4-year senior secured syndicated revolving credit facility that became available for utilization at completion of its initial public offering in April 2017.  The credit facility can be used for borrowings and letters of credit to fund operating activities and capital expenditures of the Partnership and expires March 2021.  Borrowings on the credit facility will generally bear interest at LIBOR plus an applicable margin of 1.275%.  The interest rate is subject to adjustment based on the Partnership’s leverage ratio, which is calculated as total debt to EBITDA.  If the Partnership obtains credit ratings, pricing levels will be based on the credit ratings in effect from time to time.  The Partnership is subject to customary covenants in the credit agreement, including financial covenants that generally require a leverage ratio of no more than 4.5 to 1.0 for the prior four fiscal quarters.  The credit facility is secured by first priority perfected liens on substantially all directly owned assets of the Partnership and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, including equity interests in subsidiaries, subject to certain customary exclusions.  Outstanding borrowings under this credit facility are non-recourse to Hess Corporation.  At December 31, 2017, this facility was undrawn.

Credit Ratings

Two of the three major credit rating agencies that rate the Corporation’s debt have assigned an investment grade rating.  At December 31, 2017, we have investment grade credit ratings with stable outlook from Standard and Poor’s Ratings Services (BBB-) and Fitch Ratings (BBB-).  Moody’s Investors Service has rated our debt at Ba1 with a stable outlook.

The consequence of lower credit ratings is an increase in interest rates and facility fees on our credit facilities and the potential for additional required collateral under operating agreements.  As of December 31, 2017, based on our current credit ratings, we may be required to issue additional collateral in the form of letters of credit up to approximately $135 million.  If Fitch or S&P were to reduce their rating on our unsecured debt below investment grade, we estimate that we could be required to issue additional letters of credit up to approximately $240 million as of December 31, 2017.

In the fourth quarter of 2017, HIP obtained it first credit ratings from ratings agencies.  At December 31, 2017, HIP’s senior unsecured debt is rated BB+ by Standard and Poor’s Ratings Services, Ba3 by Moody’s Investors Service, and BB by Fitch Ratings.

Contractual Obligations and Contingencies

The following table shows aggregate information about certain contractual obligations at December 31, 2017:

 

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Capital expenditures represent amounts that were contractually committed at December 31, 2017, including the portion of our planned capital expenditure program for 2018.  Obligations for operating expenses include commitments for oil and gas production expenses, seismic purchases and other normal business expenses.  Other liabilities reflect contractually committed obligations in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2017, including pension plan liabilities and estimates for uncertain income tax positions.  The Corporation and certain of its subsidiaries lease drilling rigs, office space and other assets for varying periods under leases accounted for as operating leases.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

At December 31, 2017, we had $31 million in letters of credit for which we are contingently liable.  See also Note 21, Guarantees, Contingencies and Commitments in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Foreign Operations

At December 31, 2017, we conducted E&P activities outside the U.S., principally in Africa (Libya), Asia (Joint Development Area of Malaysia/Thailand and Malaysia), South America (Guyana and Suriname), Denmark and Canada.  Therefore, we are subject to the risks associated with foreign operations, including political risk, tax law changes, currency risk, corruption, and acts of terrorism.  See Item 1A. Risk Factors for further details.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Accounting policies and estimates affect the recognition of assets and liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet and revenues and expenses in the Statement of Consolidated Income.  The accounting methods used can affect net income, equity and various financial statement ratios.  However, our accounting policies generally do not change cash flows or liquidity.

Accounting for Exploration and Development Costs:  E&P activities are accounted for using the successful efforts method.  Costs of acquiring unproved and proved oil and gas leasehold acreage, including lease bonuses, brokers’ fees and other related costs are capitalized.  Annual lease rentals, exploration expenses and exploratory dry hole costs are expensed as incurred.  Costs of drilling and equipping productive wells, including development dry holes, and related production facilities are capitalized.  In production operations, costs of injected CO₂ for tertiary recovery are expensed as incurred.

The costs of exploratory wells that find oil and gas reserves are capitalized pending determination of whether proved reserves have been found.  Exploratory drilling costs remain capitalized after drilling is completed if (1) the well has found a sufficient quantity of reserves to justify completion as a producing well and (2) sufficient progress is being made in assessing the reserves and the economic and operational viability of the project.  If either of those criteria is not met, or if there is substantial doubt about the economic or operational viability of the project, the capitalized well costs are charged to expense. Indicators of sufficient progress in assessing reserves, and the economic and operating viability of a project include: commitment of project personnel, active negotiations for sales contracts with customers, negotiations with governments, operators and contractors and firm plans for additional drilling and other factors.

Crude Oil and Natural Gas Reserves:  The determination of estimated proved reserves is a significant element in arriving at the results of operations of E&P activities.  The estimates of proved reserves affect well capitalizations, the unit of production depreciation rates of proved properties and wells and equipment, as well as impairment testing of oil and gas assets and goodwill.

For reserves to be booked as proved they must be determined with reasonable certainty to be economically producible from known reservoirs under existing economic conditions, operating methods and government regulations.  In addition, government and project operator approvals must be obtained and, depending on the amount of the project cost, senior management or the Board of Directors must commit to fund the project.  We maintain our own internal reserve estimates that are calculated by technical staff that work directly with the oil and gas properties.  Our technical staff updates reserve estimates throughout the year based on evaluations of new wells, performance reviews, new technical data and other studies.  To provide consistency throughout the Corporation, standard reserve estimation guidelines, definitions, reporting reviews and approval practices are used.  The internal reserve estimates are subject to internal technical audits and senior management review.  We also engage an independent third-party consulting firm to audit approximately 80% of our total proved reserves each year.

Proved reserves are calculated using the average price during the twelve-month period ending December 31 determined as an unweighted arithmetic average of the price on the first day of each month within the year, unless prices are defined by contractual agreements, excluding escalations based on future conditions.  As discussed in Item 1A. Risk Factors, crude oil prices are volatile which can have an impact on our proved reserves.  If crude oil prices in 2018 are at levels below that used in determining 2017 proved reserves, we may recognize negative revisions to our December 31, 2017 proved undeveloped reserves.  In addition, we may recognize negative revisions to proved developed reserves, which can vary significantly by

 

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asset due to differing operating cost structures.  Conversely, price increases in 2018 above those used in determining 2017 proved reserves could result in positive revisions to proved developed and proved undeveloped reserves at December 31, 2018.  It is difficult to estimate the magnitude of any potential net negative or positive change in proved reserves as of December 31, 2018, due to a number of factors that are currently unknown, including 2018 crude oil prices, any revisions based on 2018 reservoir performance, and the levels to which industry costs will change in response to movements in commodity prices.  A 10% change in proved developed and proved undeveloped reserves at December 31, 2017 would result in an approximate $200 million pre-tax change in depreciation, depletion, and amortization expense for 2018.  See the Supplementary Oil and Gas Data on pages 81 through 91 in the accompanying financial statements for additional information on our oil and gas reserves.

Midstream Joint Venture: On July 1, 2015, we sold a 50% interest in HIP to GIP for net cash consideration of approximately $2.6 billion.  We consolidate the activities of HIP, which qualifies as a variable interest entity (VIE) under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.  We have concluded that we are the primary beneficiary of the VIE, as defined in the accounting standards, since we have the power through our 50% ownership to direct those activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of HIP, and are obligated to absorb losses or have the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to HIP.  This conclusion was based on a qualitative analysis that considered HIP’s governance structure, the commercial agreements between HIP and us, and the voting rights established between the members, which provide us the ability to control the operations of HIP.

Impairment of Long-lived Assets:  We review long‑lived assets, including oil and gas fields, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recovered.  Long‑lived assets are tested based on identifiable cash flows that are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities.  If the carrying amounts of the long-lived assets are not expected to be recovered by estimated undiscounted future net cash flows, the assets are impaired and an impairment loss is recorded.  The amount of impairment is determined based on the estimated fair value of the assets generally determined by discounting anticipated future net cash flows, an income valuation approach, or by a market‑based valuation approach, which are Level 3 fair value measurements.

In the case of oil and gas fields, the present value of future net cash flows is based on management’s best estimate of future prices, which is determined with reference to recent historical prices and published forward prices, applied to projected production volumes and discounted at a risk-adjusted rate.  The projected production volumes represent reserves, including probable reserves, expected to be produced based on a stipulated amount of capital expenditures.  The production volumes, prices and timing of production are consistent with internal projections and other externally reported information.  Oil and gas prices used for determining asset impairment will generally differ from those used in the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows, since the standardized measure requires the use of historical twelve-month average prices.

Our impairment tests of long‑lived E&P producing assets are based on our best estimates of future production volumes (including recovery factors), selling prices, operating and capital costs, the timing of future production and other factors, which are updated each time an impairment test is performed.  We could have impairment if the projected production volumes from oil and gas fields decrease, crude oil and natural gas selling prices decline significantly for an extended period or future estimated capital and operating costs increase significantly.  As a result of the extended period of low crude oil prices, we tested our oil and gas properties for impairment.  See Note 3, Impairment in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Impairment of Goodwill:  Goodwill is tested for impairment annually on October 1^st or when events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the goodwill may not be recoverable based on a two-step process.  We conduct the goodwill test at a reporting unit level, which is defined in accounting standards as an operating segment or one level below an operating segment.  The reporting unit or units used in an evaluation and measurement of goodwill for impairment testing are determined from a number of factors, including the manner in which the business is managed.  At December 31, 2017, our Midstream operating segment had goodwill of $360 million that resulted from an allocation from our E&P segment upon the formation of the Midstream segment in 2015.  Our E&P segment has no goodwill at December 31, 2017.

In step one of the impairment test, the fair value of a reporting unit is compared with its carrying amount, including goodwill.  If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, goodwill is not impaired.  If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, we perform step two to determine possible impairment by comparing the implied fair value of goodwill with the carrying amount.  The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by assuming the reporting unit is purchased at fair value with assets and liabilities of the reporting unit being reflected at fair value in the same manner as the accounting prescribed for a business combination.  The resulting excess of fair value of the reporting unit over the amounts assigned to the reporting unit’s assets and liabilities represents the implied fair value of goodwill.  If the implied fair value of goodwill were less than its carrying amount, an impairment loss would be recorded.  Fair value for the Midstream operating segment is based on a market approach using the exchange price of Hess Midstream Partners, LP, which is a consolidated publicly traded master limited partnership that operates substantially all of our Midstream segment assets.

 

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Income Taxes:  Judgments are required in the determination and recognition of income tax assets and liabilities in the financial statements.  These judgments include the requirement to only recognize the financial statement effect of a tax position when management believes that it is more likely than not, that based on the technical merits, the position will be sustained upon examination.

We have net operating loss carryforwards or credit carryforwards in multiple jurisdictions and have recorded deferred tax assets for those losses and credits.  Additionally, we have deferred tax assets due to temporary differences between the book basis and tax basis of certain assets and liabilities.  Regular assessments are made as to the likelihood of those deferred tax assets being realized.  If, when tested under the relevant accounting standards, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized, a valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the deferred tax assets to the amount that is expected to be realized.  

The accounting standards require the evaluation of all available positive and negative evidence giving weight based on the evidence’s relative objectivity.  In evaluating potential sources of positive evidence, we consider the reversal of taxable temporary differences, taxable income in carryback and carryforward periods, the availability of tax planning strategies, the existence of appreciated assets, estimates of future taxable income, and other factors.  Estimates of future taxable income are based on assumptions of oil and gas reserves, selling prices, and other subjective operating assumptions that are consistent with internal business forecasts.  In evaluating potential sources of negative evidence, we consider a cumulative loss in recent years, any history of operating losses or tax credit carryforwards expiring unused, losses expected in early future years, unsettled circumstances that, if unfavorably resolved, would adversely affect future operations and profit levels on a continuing basis in future years, and carryback or carryforward periods that are so brief that it would limit realization of tax benefits if a significant deductible temporary difference is expected to reverse in a single year.  Due to a sustained low commodity price environment, we remained in a three-year cumulative consolidated loss position as of December 31, 2017.  A three-year cumulative consolidated loss constitutes objective negative evidence to which the accounting standards require we assign significant weight relative to subjective evidence such as our estimates of future taxable income.  We are generally not recognizing deferred tax benefit or expense in certain countries, primarily the U.S., Denmark (hydrocarbon tax only), Malaysia, and Guyana, while we maintain valuation allowances against net deferred tax assets in these jurisdictions.

As of December 31, 2017, the Consolidated Balance Sheet reflects a $5,199 million valuation allowance against the net deferred tax assets for multiple jurisdictions based on the evaluation of the accounting standards described above.  The amount of the deferred tax asset considered realizable, however, could be adjusted if estimates of future taxable income change or if objective negative evidence in the form of cumulative losses is no longer present and additional weight is given to subjective evidence such as expected future growth.  

Asset Retirement Obligations:  We have material legal obligations to remove and dismantle long‑lived assets and to restore land or seabed at certain E&P locations.  In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, we recognize a liability for the fair value of required asset retirement obligations.  In addition, the fair value of any legally required conditional asset retirement obligation is recorded if the liability can be reasonably estimated.  We capitalize such costs as a component of the carrying amount of the underlying assets in the period in which the liability is incurred.  In subsequent periods, the liability is accreted, and the asset is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset.  We estimate the fair value of these obligations by discounting projected future payments that will be required to satisfy the obligations.  In determining these estimates, we are required to make several assumptions and judgments related to the scope of dismantlement, timing of settlement, interpretation of legal requirements, inflationary factors and discount rate.  In addition, there are other external factors, which could significantly affect the ultimate settlement costs for these obligations including changes in environmental regulations and other statutory requirements, fluctuations in industry costs and foreign currency exchange rates and advances in technology.  As a result, our estimates of asset retirement obligations are subject to revision due to the factors described above.  Changes in estimates prior to settlement result in adjustments to both the liability and related asset values.

Retirement Plans:  We have funded non-contributory defined benefit pension plans, an unfunded supplemental pension plan and an unfunded postretirement medical plan.  We recognize the net change in the funded status of the projected benefit obligation for these plans in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

The determination of the obligations and expenses related to these plans are based on several actuarial assumptions, the most significant of which relate to the discount rate for measuring the present value of future plan obligations; expected long‑term rates of return on plan assets; the rate of future increases in compensation levels, and participant mortality assumptions.  These assumptions represent estimates made by us, some of which can be affected by external factors.  For example, the discount rate used to estimate our projected benefit obligation is based on a portfolio of high‑quality, fixed income debt instruments with maturities that approximate the expected payment of plan obligations.  The expected return on plan assets is developed from the expected future returns for each asset category, weighted by the target allocation of pension assets to that asset category.  The future expected return assumptions for individual asset categories are largely based on

 

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inputs from various investment experts regarding their future return expectations for particular asset categories.  Changes in these assumptions can have a material impact on the amounts reported in our financial statements.  

Derivatives:  We utilize derivative instruments, including futures, forwards, options and swaps, individually or in combination to mitigate our exposure to fluctuations in the prices of crude oil and natural gas, as well as changes in interest and foreign currency exchange rates.  All derivative instruments are recorded at fair value in our Consolidated Balance Sheet.  Our policy for recognizing the changes in fair value of derivatives varies based on the designation of the derivative.  The changes in fair value of derivatives that are not designated as hedges are recognized currently in earnings.  Derivatives may be designated as hedges of expected future cash flows or forecasted transactions (cash flow hedges) or hedges of firm commitments (fair value hedges).  The effective portion of changes in fair value of derivatives that are designated as cash flow hedges is recorded as a component of other comprehensive income (loss).  Amounts included in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for cash flow hedges are reclassified into earnings in the same period that the hedged item is recognized in earnings.  The ineffective portion of changes in fair value of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges is recorded currently in earnings.  Changes in fair value of derivatives designated as fair value hedges are recognized currently in earnings.  The change in fair value of the related hedged commitment is recorded as an adjustment to its carrying amount and recognized currently in earnings.

Fair Value Measurements:  We use various valuation approaches in determining fair value for financial instruments, including the market and income approaches.  Our fair value measurements also include non-performance risk and time value of money considerations.  Counterparty credit is considered for receivable balances, and our credit is considered for accrued liabilities.

We also record certain nonfinancial assets and liabilities at fair value when required by generally accepted accounting principles.  These fair value measurements are recorded in connection with business combinations, qualifying non-monetary exchanges, the initial recognition of asset retirement obligations and any impairment of long-lived assets, equity method investments or goodwill.

We determine fair value in accordance with the fair value measurements accounting standard which established a hierarchy for the inputs used to measure fair value based on the source of the inputs, which generally range from quoted prices for identical instruments in a principal trading market (Level 1) to estimates determined using related market data (Level 3), including discounted cash flows and other unobservable data.  Measurements derived indirectly from observable inputs or from quoted prices from markets that are less liquid are considered Level 2.  When Level 1 inputs are available within a particular market, those inputs are selected for determination of fair value over Level 2 or 3 inputs in the same market.  Multiple inputs may be used to measure fair value; however, the level of fair value for each physical derivative and financial asset or liability is based on the lowest significant input level within this fair value hierarchy.  

Environment, Health and Safety

Our long-term vision and values provide a foundation for how we do business and define our commitment to meeting high standards of corporate citizenship and creating a long lasting positive impact on the communities where we do business. Our strategy is reflected in our environment, health, safety and social responsibility (EHS & SR) policies and by a management system framework that helps protect our workforce, customers and local communities.  Our management systems are intended to promote internal consistency, adherence to policy objectives and continual improvement in EHS & SR performance.  Improved performance may, in the short‑term, increase our operating costs and could also require increased capital expenditures to reduce potential risks to assets, reputation and license to operate.  In addition to enhanced EHS & SR performance, improved productivity and operational efficiencies may be realized from investments in EHS & SR.  We have programs in place to evaluate regulatory compliance, audit facilities, train employees, prevent and manage risks and emergencies and to generally meet corporate EHS & SR goals and objectives.

We recognize that climate change is a global environmental concern.  We assess, monitor and take measures to reduce our carbon footprint at existing and planned operations.  We are committed to complying with all Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions mandates and the responsible management of GHG emissions at our facilities.

We will have continuing expenditures for environmental assessment and remediation.  Sites where corrective action may be necessary include onshore E&P facilities, sites from discontinued operations as to which we retained liability and, although not currently significant, “Superfund” sites where we have been named a potentially responsible party.

We accrue for environmental assessment and remediation expenses when the future costs are probable and reasonably estimable.  At December 31, 2017, our reserve for estimated remediation liabilities was approximately $80 million.  We expect that existing reserves for environmental liabilities will adequately cover costs to assess and remediate known sites.  Our remediation spending was approximately $15 million in 2017 (2016: $10 million; 2015: $13 million).  The level of other expenditures to comply with federal, state, local and foreign country environmental regulations is difficult to quantify as such costs are captured as mostly indistinguishable components of our capital expenditures and operating expenses.

 

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Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

As discussed in Note 23, Financial Risk Management Activities, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, in the normal course of our business, we are exposed to commodity risks related to changes in the prices of crude oil, natural gas liquids, and natural gas as well as changes in interest rates and foreign currency values.  In the disclosures that follow, financial risk management activities refer to the mitigation of these risks through hedging activities.

Controls:  We maintain a control environment under the direction of our Chief Risk Officer.  Controls over instruments used in financial risk management activities include volumetric and term limits.  Our Treasury department is responsible for administering and monitoring foreign exchange rate and interest rate hedging programs using similar controls and processes, where applicable.  Hedging strategies are reviewed annually by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.

Instruments:  We primarily use forward commodity contracts, foreign exchange forward contracts, futures, swaps, and options to affect risk management activities.  These contracts are generally widely traded instruments with standardized terms.  The following describes these instruments and how we use them:

Financial Risk Management Activities

We have outstanding foreign exchange contracts with a total notional amount of $52 million at December 31, 2017 that are used to reduce our exposure to fluctuating foreign exchange rates for various currencies.  The change in fair value of foreign exchange contracts from a 10% strengthening of the U.S. Dollar exchange rate is estimated to be a loss of approximately $5 million at December 31, 2017.

At December 31, 2017, our outstanding long‑term debt of $6,977 million, including current maturities, had a fair value of $7,718 million.  A 15% increase or decrease in the rate of interest would decrease or increase the fair value of debt by approximately $500 million or $560 million, respectively.

At December 31, 2017, we have outstanding West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil collar contracts with a notional amount of 115,000 bopd for calendar 2018 with an average monthly floor price of $50 per barrel and an average monthly ceiling price of $65 per barrel.  As of December 31, 2017, an assumed 10% increase in the forward WTI crude oil prices used in determining the fair value of our crude oil collars would reduce the fair value of these derivatives instruments by approximately $120 million, while an assumed 10% decrease in the same WTI crude oil prices would increase the fair value of these derivative instruments by approximately $70 million.  See Note 23, Financial Risk Management Activities, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 

In 2017, we recorded a pre-tax charge of $22 million ($22 million after income taxes) related to certain crude oil collars not designated as cash flow hedges.  The de-designation was as a result of expected production downtime caused by a fire at the third-party operated Enchilada platform in the Gulf of Mexico.

 

 

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Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

HESS CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULE

 

 

*   Schedules other than Schedule II have been omitted because of the absence of the conditions under which they are required or because the required information is presented in the financial statements or the notes thereto.

 

 

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Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a‑15(f).  Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes‑Oxley Act, based on the framework in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework).  Based on our evaluation, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2017.

 

The Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP, has audited the effectiveness of the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, as stated in their report, which is included herein.

 

 

 

February 21, 2018

 

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

Hess Corporation

 

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited Hess Corporation and consolidated subsidiaries’ (the “Corporation”) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria).  In our opinion, Hess Corporation and consolidated subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of the Corporation as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the related statements of consolidated income, comprehensive income, cash flows and equity for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, and the related notes and financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 8  and our report dated February 21, 2018 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Basis for Opinion

The Corporation’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.  We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Corporation in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.

Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances.  We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.  A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.  Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

New York, New York

February 21, 2018

 

 

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

Hess Corporation

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Hess Corporation and consolidated subsidiaries (the “Corporation”) as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the related statements of consolidated income, comprehensive income, cash flows and equity for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, and the related notes and financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 8 (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”).  In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Corporation at December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework), and our report dated February 21, 2018 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

 

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Corporation’s management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.  We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Corporation in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.  Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks.  Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.  

 

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

We have served as the Corporation’s auditor since 1971

New York, New York

February 21, 2018

 

 

 

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HESS CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

 

The consolidated financial statements reflect the successful efforts method of accounting for oil and gas exploration and production activities.

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

 

 

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HESS CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

 

 

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HESS CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

 

 

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HESS CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

 

 

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 HESS CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED EQUITY

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

 

 

 

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HESS CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1.  Nature of Operations, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Accounting Policies

Unless the context indicates otherwise, references to “Hess”, “the Corporation”, “Registrant”, “we”, “us” and “our” refer to the consolidated business operations of Hess Corporation and its affiliates.

Nature of Business:  Hess Corporation, incorporated in the State of Delaware in 1920, is a global Exploration and Production (E&P) company engaged in exploration, development, production, transportation, purchase and sale of crude oil, natural gas liquids, and natural gas with production operations located primarily in the United States (U.S.), Denmark, the Malaysia/Thailand Joint Development Area (JDA) and Malaysia.  The Corporation conducts exploration activities primarily offshore Guyana, Suriname, Canada and in the Gulf of Mexico, including at the Stabroek Block, offshore Guyana, where we have participated in six significant crude oil discoveries and sanctioned the first phase of a multi-phase development project at the Liza Field.

The Corporation’s Midstream operating segment provides fee-based services, including gathering, compressing and processing natural gas and fractionating natural gas liquids (NGLs); gathering, terminaling, loading and transporting crude oil and NGLs; and storing and terminaling propane, primarily in the Bakken and Three Forks Shale plays in the Williston Basin area of North Dakota.  On January 1, 2017, the Corporation’s interests in a Permian Basin gas plant in West Texas and related CO₂ assets, and water handling assets in North Dakota were transferred from the E&P segment to the Midstream segment as a result of organizational changes to the management of those assets.  These assets were wholly-owned by the Corporation and were not included in our HIP joint venture.  Prior period information has been recast to conform to the current period presentation.  See Note 22, Segment Information.  In the third quarter of 2017, we completed the sale of our assets in the Permian Basin.

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Hess Corporation and entities in which we own more than a 50% voting interest.  We also consolidate Hess Infrastructure Partners LP (HIP), a variable interest entity, based on our conclusion that we have the power through our 50% ownership to direct those activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of HIP, and are obligated to absorb losses or have the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to HIP.  See Note 7, Hess Infrastructure Partners LP.  Our undivided interests in unincorporated oil and gas E&P ventures are proportionately consolidated.  Investments in affiliated companies, 20% to 50% owned and where we have the ability to influence the operating or financial decisions of the affiliate, are accounted for using the equity method.

In 2017, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-16, Income Taxes – Intra-Entity Transfer of Assets Other than Inventory.  This ASU requires the recognition of income tax consequences from intra-entity transfer of assets other than inventory when the transfer occurs.  The adoption of this standard was applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative effect adjustment as of January 1, 2017, that resulted in a decrease to Retained earnings and a decrease to Deferred income taxes, included in non-current assets, of $37 million.

In 2017, we adopted ASU 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting.  This ASU makes changes to various provisions associated with share-based accounting, including provisions affecting the accounting for income taxes, the accounting for forfeitures, the presentation of the statements of cash flow, and the consideration of net settlement provisions on the balance sheet classification of the share-based award.  As part of the adoption of this ASU, we elected to account for forfeitures of share-based awards in the period when they occur.  The effect of this election was applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative effect adjustment as of January 1, 2017, that resulted in a decrease to Retained earnings and an increase to Capital in excess of par value of $2 million.  The cumulative effect adjustment to deferred tax assets for excess tax benefits not previously recognized as of the beginning of the period was offset by a corresponding change in valuation allowance, resulting in no cumulative effect adjustment to Retained earnings.  Further, as part of the adoption of this ASU, we have applied its provisions affecting excess tax benefits on a prospective basis in the statement of income and the statement of cash flows, effective January 1, 2017.

Estimates and Assumptions:  In preparing financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet and revenues and expenses in the Statement of Consolidated Income.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.  Estimates made by management include oil and gas reserves, asset and other valuations, depreciable lives, pension liabilities, legal and environmental obligations, asset retirement obligations and income taxes.

Revenue Recognition:  The E&P segment recognizes revenue from the sale of crude oil, natural gas liquids, and natural gas, when title passes to the customer.  Differences between E&P natural gas volumes sold and our entitlement share of natural gas production are not material.

 

 

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HESS CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

In our E&P activities, we engage in crude oil purchase and sale transactions with the same counterparty that are entered into in contemplation of one another for the primary purpose of changing location or quality.  These arrangements are reported net in Sales and other operating revenues in the Statement of Consolidated Income.

Our Midstream segment recognizes revenue from fee-based services including crude oil and natural gas gathering, processing of natural gas and the fractionation of natural gas liquids, terminaling and loading crude oil and natural gas liquids, transportation of crude oil by rail car and the storage and terminaling of propane when pervasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services rendered, price is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured.  

Exploration and Development Costs:  E&P activities are accounted for using the successful efforts method.  Costs of acquiring unproved and proved oil and gas leasehold acreage, including lease bonuses, brokers’ fees and other related costs are capitalized.  Annual lease rentals, exploration expenses and exploratory dry hole costs are expensed as incurred.  Costs of drilling and equipping productive wells, including development dry holes, and related production facilities are capitalized.

The costs of exploratory wells that find oil and gas reserves are capitalized pending determination of whether proved reserves have been found.  Exploratory drilling costs remain capitalized after drilling is completed if (1) the well has found a sufficient quantity of reserves to justify completion as a producing well and (2) sufficient progress is being made in assessing the reserves and the economic and operational viability of the project.  If either of those criteria is not met, or if there is substantial doubt about the economic or operational viability of a project, the capitalized well costs are charged to expense.  Indicators of sufficient progress in assessing reserves and the economic and operating viability of a project include commitment of project personnel, active negotiations for sales contracts with customers, negotiations with governments, operators and contractors, firm plans for additional drilling and other factors.

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization:  We record depletion expense for acquisition costs of proved properties using the units of production method over proved oil and gas reserves.  Depreciation and depletion expense for oil and gas production facilities and wells is calculated using the units of production method over proved developed oil and gas reserves.  Provisions for impairment of undeveloped oil and gas leases are based on periodic evaluations and other factors.  Depreciation of all other plant and equipment is determined on the straight-line method based on estimated useful lives.

Capitalized Interest:  Interest from external borrowings is capitalized on material projects using the weighted average cost of outstanding borrowings until the project is substantially complete and ready for its intended use, which for oil and gas assets is at first production from the field.  Capitalized interest is depreciated over the useful lives of the assets in the same manner as the depreciation of the underlying assets.

Impairment of Long‑lived Assets:  We review long‑lived assets, including oil and gas fields, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recovered.  If the carrying amounts of the long-lived assets are not expected to be recovered by estimated undiscounted future net cash flows, the assets are impaired and an impairment loss is recorded.  The amount of impairment is determined based on the estimated fair value of the assets generally determined by discounting anticipated future net cash flows, an income valuation approach, or by a market‑based valuation approach, which are Level 3 fair value measurements.  In the case of oil and gas fields, the present value of future net cash flows is based on management’s best estimate of future prices, which is determined with reference to recent historical prices and published forward prices, applied to projected production volumes and discounted at a risk-adjusted rate.  The projected production volumes represent reserves, including probable reserves, expected to be produced based on a projected amount of capital expenditures.  The production volumes, prices and timing of production are consistent with internal projections and other externally reported information.  Oil and gas prices used for determining asset impairment will generally differ from those used in the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows, since the standardized measure requires the use of historical twelve-month average prices.  As a result of the prevailing low crude oil price environment, we tested our oil and gas properties for impairment.  See Note 3, Impairment.

Impairment of Goodwill:  Goodwill is tested for impairment annually on October 1^st or when events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the goodwill may not be recoverable based on a two-step process.  In step one of the impairment test, the fair value of a reporting unit is compared with its carrying amount, including goodwill.  If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, goodwill is not impaired.  If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, we perform step two to determine possible impairment by comparing the implied fair value of goodwill with the carrying amount.  If the implied fair value of goodwill is less than its carrying amount, an impairment loss would be recorded.

Cash and Cash Equivalents:  Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments, which are readily convertible into cash and have maturities of three months or less when acquired.

 

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Inventories:  Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Cost is generally determined using average actual costs.  

Income Taxes:  Deferred income taxes are determined using the liability method.  We have net operating loss carryforwards or credit carryforwards in multiple jurisdictions and have recorded deferred tax assets for those losses and credits.  Additionally, we have deferred tax assets due to temporary differences between the book basis and tax basis of certain assets and liabilities.  Regular assessments are made as to the likelihood of those deferred tax assets being realized.  If, when tested under the relevant accounting standards, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized, a valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the deferred tax assets to the amount that is expected to be realized.  The accounting standards require the evaluation of all available positive and negative evidence giving weight based on the evidence’s relative objectivity.  In evaluating potential sources of positive evidence, we consider the reversal of taxable temporary differences, taxable income in carryback and carryforward periods, the availability of tax planning strategies, the existence of appreciated assets, estimates of future taxable income, and other factors.  In evaluating potential sources of negative evidence, we consider a cumulative loss in recent years, any history of operating losses or tax credit carryforwards expiring unused, losses expected in early future years, unsettled circumstances that, if unfavorably resolved, would adversely affect future operations and profit levels on a continuing basis in future years, and carryback or carryforward periods that are so brief that it would limit realization of tax benefits if a significant deductible temporary difference is expected to reverse in a single year.  We assign cumulative historical losses significant weight in the evaluation of realizability relative to more subjective evidence such as forecasts of future income.  In addition, we recognize the financial statement effect of a tax position only when management believes that it is more likely than not, that based on the technical merits, the position will be sustained upon examination.  We are no longer indefinitely reinvested with respect to the book in excess of tax basis in the investment in our foreign subsidiaries.  Because of U.S. tax reform we expect that the future reversal of such temporary differences will occur free of material taxation.  We classify interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions as income tax expense.  We account for the U.S. tax effect of global intangible low-taxed income earned by foreign subsidiaries in the period that such income is earned.  

Asset Retirement Obligations:  We have material legal obligations to remove and dismantle long‑lived assets and to restore land or the seabed at certain E&P locations.  We initially recognize a liability for the fair value of legally required asset retirement obligations in the period in which the retirement obligations are incurred, and capitalize the associated asset retirement costs as part of the carrying amount of the long‑lived assets.  In subsequent periods, the liability is accreted, and the asset is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset.  Fair value is determined by applying a credit adjusted risk-free rate to the undiscounted expected future abandonment expenditures, which represent Level 3 inputs in the fair value hierarchy defined under Fair Value Measurements below.

Retirement Plans:  We recognize the funded status of defined benefit postretirement plans in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.  The funded status is measured as the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the projected benefit obligation.  We recognize the net changes in the funded status of these plans in the year in which such changes occur.  Actuarial gains and losses in excess of 10% of the greater of the benefit obligation or the market value of assets are amortized over the average remaining service period of active employees or the remaining average expected life if a plan’s participants are predominantly inactive.

Derivatives:  We utilize derivative instruments for financial risk management activities.  In these activities, we may use futures, forwards, options and swaps, individually or in combination, to mitigate our exposure to fluctuations in prices of crude oil and natural gas, as well as changes in interest and foreign currency exchange rates.

All derivative instruments are recorded at fair value in our Consolidated Balance Sheet.  Our policy for recognizing the changes in fair value of derivatives varies based on the designation of the derivative.  The changes in fair value of derivatives that are not designated as hedges are recognized currently in earnings.  Derivatives may be designated as hedges of expected future cash flows or forecasted transactions (cash flow hedges) or hedges of firm commitments (fair value hedges).  The effective portion of changes in fair value of derivatives that are designated as cash flow hedges is recorded as a component of other comprehensive income (loss) while the ineffective portion of the changes in fair value is recorded currently in earnings.  Amounts included in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for cash flow hedges are reclassified into earnings in the same period that the hedged item is recognized in earnings.  Changes in fair value of derivatives designated as fair value hedges are recognized currently in earnings.  The change in fair value of the related hedged commitment is recorded as an adjustment to its carrying amount and recognized currently in earnings.

Fair Value Measurements:  We use various valuation approaches in determining fair value for financial instruments, including the market and income approaches.  Our fair value measurements also include non-performance risk and time value of money considerations.  Counterparty credit is considered for receivable balances, and our credit is considered for accrued liabilities.  We also record certain nonfinancial assets and liabilities at fair value when required by GAAP.  These fair value

 

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measurements are recorded in connection with business combinations, qualifying nonmonetary exchanges, the initial recognition of asset retirement obligations and any impairment of long‑lived assets, equity method investments or goodwill.  We determine fair value in accordance with the fair value measurements accounting standard which established a hierarchy for the inputs used to measure fair value based on the source of the inputs, which generally range from quoted prices for identical instruments in a principal trading market (Level 1) to estimates determined using related market data (Level 3), including discounted cash flows and other unobservable data.  Measurements derived indirectly from observable inputs or from quoted prices from markets that are less liquid are considered Level 2.  When Level 1 inputs are available within a particular market, those inputs are selected for determination of fair value over Level 2 or 3 inputs in the same market.  Multiple inputs may be used to measure fair value; however, the level of fair value for each physical derivative and financial asset or liability is based on the lowest significant input level within this fair value hierarchy.

Details on the methods and assumptions used to determine the fair values are as follows:

Fair value measurements based on Level 1 inputs:  Measurements that are most observable are based on quoted prices of identical instruments obtained from the principal markets in which they are traded.  Closing prices are both readily available and representative of fair value.  Market transactions occur with sufficient frequency and volume to assure liquidity.

Fair value measurements based on Level 2 inputs:  Measurements derived indirectly from observable inputs or from quoted prices from markets that are less liquid are considered Level 2.  Measurements based on Level 2 inputs include over-the-counter derivative instruments that are priced on an exchange traded curve, but have contractual terms that are not identical to exchange traded contracts.

Fair value measurements based on Level 3 inputs:  Measurements that are least observable are estimated from related market data, determined from sources with little or no market activity for comparable contracts or are positions with longer durations.  Fair values determined using discounted cash flows and other unobservable data are also classified as Level 3.

Netting of Financial Instruments: We generally enter into master netting arrangements to mitigate legal and counterparty credit risk.  Master netting arrangements are generally accepted overarching master contracts that govern all individual transactions with the same counterparty entity as a single legally enforceable agreement.  The U.S. Bankruptcy Code provides for the enforcement of certain termination and netting rights under certain types of contracts upon the bankruptcy filing of a counterparty, commonly known as the “safe harbor” provisions.  If a master netting arrangement provides for termination and netting upon the counterparty’s bankruptcy, these rights are generally enforceable with respect to “safe harbor” transactions.  If these arrangements provide the right of offset and our intent and practice is to offset amounts in the case of such a termination, our policy is to record the fair value of derivative assets and liabilities on a net basis.  In the normal course of business, we rely on legal and credit risk mitigation clauses providing for adequate credit assurance as well as close‑out netting, including two‑party netting and single counterparty multilateral netting.  As applied to us, “two‑party netting” is the right to net amounts owing under safe harbor transactions between a single defaulting counterparty entity and a single Hess entity, and “single counterparty multilateral netting” is the right to net amounts owing under safe harbor transactions among a single defaulting counterparty entity and multiple Hess entities.  We are reasonably assured that these netting rights would be upheld in a bankruptcy proceeding in the U.S. in which the defaulting counterparty is a debtor under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.

Share-based Compensation:  We account for share-based compensation under the fair value method of accounting.  The fair value of all share‑based compensation is recognized over the service period for the entire award, whether the award was granted with ratable or cliff vesting, net of actual forfeitures.  We estimate the fair value of employee stock options at the date of grant using a Black‑Scholes valuation model, performance share units using a Monte Carlo simulation model, and restricted stock based on the market value of the underlying shares at the date of grant.

Foreign Currency Translation:  The U.S. Dollar is the functional currency (primary currency in which business is conducted) for our foreign operations.  Adjustments resulting from remeasuring monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are recorded in Other, net in the Statement of Consolidated Income.  For our former operations in Norway that did not use the U.S. Dollar as the functional currency, adjustments resulting from translating foreign currency assets and liabilities into U.S. Dollars were recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheet in a separate component of equity titled Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) prior to the disposition.  See Note 2, Dispositions.

Maintenance and Repairs:  Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred.  Capital improvements are recorded as additions in Property, plant and equipment.

 

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Environmental Expenditures:  We accrue and expense the undiscounted environmental costs necessary to remediate existing conditions related to past operations when the future costs are probable and reasonably estimable.  At year‑end 2017, our reserve for estimated remediation liabilities was approximately $80 million.  Environmental expenditures that increase the life or efficiency of property or reduce or prevent future adverse impacts to the environment are capitalized.

New Accounting Pronouncements:  In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as a new Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic, ASC 606.  This ASU is effective for us beginning in the first quarter of 2018.  Our analysis of contracts with customers against the requirements of ASC 606 is complete and we have not identified any changes to the timing of revenue recognition based on requirements of the standard that would have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.  We will adopt ASC 606 using the modified retrospective method that requires application of the new standard prospectively from the date of adoption with a cumulative effect adjustment, if any, recorded to Retained earnings as of January 1, 2018.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, as a new ASC Topic, ASC 842.  The new standard will require assets and liabilities to be reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheet for all leases with lease terms greater than one year, including leases currently treated as operating leases under the existing standard.  This ASU is effective for us beginning in the first quarter of 2019, with early adoption permitted.  We have developed and are executing a project plan for the implementation of ASC 842 in the first quarter of 2019.  We are progressing our assessment of existing leases and evaluating our disclosure processes with reference to the requirements of the standard.  We continue to assess the impact of the ASU on our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses.  This ASU makes changes to the impairment model for trade receivables, net investments in leases, debt securities, loans and certain other instruments.  The standard requires the use of a forward-looking "expected loss" model compared to the current "incurred loss" model.  This ASU is effective for us beginning in the first quarter of 2020, with early adoption permitted from the first quarter of 2019.  We are currently assessing the impact of the ASU on our consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations – Clarifying the Definition of a Business.  This ASU provides a screen that excludes an integrated set of activities and assets from the definition of a business if the fair value of the gross assets acquired (or disposed of) is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group of similar identifiable assets.  This ASU also clarifies that an integrated set of activities and assets must include, at a minimum, an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create output to be considered a business.  This ASU is effective for us beginning in the first quarter of 2018, with early application permitted.  Application of this ASU is on a prospective basis only when adopted.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other – Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment.  This ASU modifies the concept of goodwill impairment from a condition that exists when the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value to the condition that exists when the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value.  Thus, an entity should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value.  The impairment charge would be limited by the amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit.  This ASU removes the requirement to determine goodwill impairment by calculating the implied fair value of goodwill by assigning the fair value of a reporting unit to all of its assets and liabilities as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination.  This ASU is effective for us beginning in the first quarter of 2020, with early adoption permitted.  We are currently assessing the impact of the ASU on our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, Compensation – Retirement Benefits.  This ASU requires that an employer disaggregate the service cost component from the other components of net periodic benefit cost.  The amendments also provide explicit guidance on how to present the service cost component and the other components of net periodic benefit cost in the statement of income and allow only the service cost component of net periodic benefit cost to be eligible for capitalization.  This ASU is effective for us beginning in the first quarter of 2018.  We are currently assessing the impact of the ASU on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2017, FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging – Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities.  This ASU aims to improve the financial reporting of hedging relationships to better portray the economic results of an entity’s risk management activities in its financial statements.  In addition, this ASU make certain targeted improvements to simplify the application of the existing hedge accounting guidance.  This ASU is effective for us beginning in the first quarter of 2019, with early application permitted.  We plan to adopt this ASU in the first quarter of 2018 and expect the impact of adoption to our consolidated financial statements to be immaterial.

 

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2.  Dispositions

2017:  We completed the sale of our enhanced oil recovery assets in the Permian Basin in August for proceeds of $597 million, after normal closing adjustments, and recognized a pre-tax gain of $273 million ($280 million attributable to Hess Corporation after income taxes and noncontrolling interest).  This sale transaction included both upstream and midstream assets resulting in an after-tax gain of $314 million allocated to the E&P segment, and an after-tax loss of $34 million allocated to the Midstream segment.  In November, we completed the sale of our interests in Equatorial Guinea for proceeds of $449 million, after normal closing adjustments, which resulted in a pre-tax gain of $486 million ($486 million after income taxes).  In December, we completed the sale of our interests in the Valhall and Hod assets, offshore Norway for proceeds of $2,056 million, after normal closing adjustments, which resulted in a pre-tax loss of $857 million ($857 million after income taxes).  This loss includes a recognition in earnings of $900 million for cumulative translation adjustments that were previously reflected within Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) in Stockholders’ Equity.  We also sold certain U.S. onshore assets for proceeds totaling approximately $194 million and recognized net pre-tax gains totaling $12 million ($12 million after income taxes).  The 2017 asset sales of higher cost, mature assets will provide funds toward our future development projects in the Stabroek Block, offshore Guyana, where we, and our partners, have discovered significant crude oil and natural gas resources.

Pre-tax income (loss) associated with our interests in Equatorial Guinea and Norway, excluding the financial statement impacts resulting from the asset sales in 2017, were as follows for the three years ended December 31:

2016:  We sold miscellaneous non-core assets during the year for proceeds totaling approximately $100 million and recognized net pre-tax gains totaling $23 million ($14 million after income taxes).

2015:  We sold approximately 13,000 acres of Utica dry gas acreage for a sale price of approximately $120 million.  This transaction resulted in a pre-tax gain of $49 million ($31 million after income taxes).  We also disposed of our interest in Algeria and recognized a pre-tax loss of $21 million ($21 million after income taxes) and sold land associated with our former joint venture interest in the Bayonne Energy Center for $20 million, resulting in a pre-tax gain of $20 million ($13 million after income taxes).  

3.  Impairment

2017:  In the third quarter, we recognized a pre-tax charge of $2,503 million ($550 million after income taxes) to impair the carrying value of our interests in Norway based on an anticipated sale of the asset, which closed in the fourth quarter of 2017.  See Note 2, Dispositions.  In the fourth quarter, we recognized pre-tax impairment charges to reduce the carrying value of our interests in the Stampede Field by $1,095 million ($1,095 million after income taxes), and the Tubular Bells Field by $605 million ($605 million after income taxes) primarily as a result of a lower long-term crude oil price outlook.  The Stampede Field had significant capitalized exploration and appraisal costs that were incurred on a 100% working interest basis on the Pony discovery prior to unitizing into the Stampede project.  The fourth quarter impairment charges were based on a total fair value estimate of approximately $1.1 billion that was determined using internal projected discounted cash flows.  The determination of projected discounted cash flows depended on estimates of oil and gas reserves, future prices, operating costs, capital expenditures, discount rate and timing of future net cash flows.

2016:  We recorded a pre-tax impairment charge of $67 million ($21 million after income taxes and noncontrolling interest) to impair older specification rail cars in our Midstream segment based on estimated salvage values, which approximated fair value.

2015:  We recorded pre-tax goodwill impairment charges totaling $1,483 million ($1,483 million after income taxes) in our E&P segment using multiple valuation methodologies.  For purposes of assessing the fair value of goodwill, we considered internal projected discounted cash flows of producing assets and known development projects, as well as the relative market valuation of similar peer companies using market multiples, and other observable market data.  Goodwill was written down to its implied fair value of zero.  We also recognized an impairment charge of $133 million pre-tax ($83 million

 

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after income taxes) relating to our legacy conventional North Dakota assets based on internal projected discounted cash flows.  

Each of the valuation methods used in the determination of the impairment charges above represent Level 3 fair value measurements.

4.  Inventories

Inventories at December 31 were as follows:

 

5.  Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment at December 31 were as follows:

Capitalized Exploratory Well Costs:  The following table discloses the amount of capitalized exploratory well costs pending determination of proved reserves at December 31, and the changes therein during the respective years:

Additions to capitalized exploratory well costs primarily related to drilling activity at the Stabroek license offshore Guyana in 2017, 2016 and 2015, and the Gulf of Mexico in 2016 and 2015.  Reclassifications to wells, facilities and equipment based on the determination of proved reserves primarily related to the sanction of the first phase of Liza Field development, offshore Guyana in 2017 and Equatorial Guinea in 2015.

Capitalized exploratory well costs charged to expense include the following:

2017:  In Ghana, at the Hess operated offshore Deepwater Tano/Cape Three Points license (Hess 50% license interest), management determined in the fourth quarter of 2017 that it would not develop the previously discovered fields.  As a result, we recorded a charge of $268 million to write-off previously capitalized exploration wells.  See Note 24, Subsequent Events.

2016:  At the Hess-operated Equus natural gas project, offshore the North West Shelf of Australia in the fourth quarter of 2016, we terminated a joint front-end engineering study with a third-party natural gas liquefaction joint venture and notified the Australian government of our intent to defer the project.  As a result, we expensed all well costs associated with the project, including an exploration well completed in the second quarter of 2016, totaling $830 million.  These properties were

 

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sold in 2017.  In the second quarter of 2016, we expensed costs associated with two exploration wells at the non-operated Sicily project in the Gulf of Mexico where hydrocarbons were encountered but we decided not to pursue the project due to the low commodity price environment and the limited time remaining on the leases.  We also expensed the cost of an unsuccessful exploration well at the non-operated Melmar project in the Gulf of Mexico, where noncommercial quantities of hydrocarbons were encountered.

2015:  At the Dinarta Block in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, we expensed an exploration well resulting from our and our partners’ decision to cease further drilling and relinquish the block.  At the Deepwater/Tano Cape Three Points block, offshore Ghana, we expensed well costs primarily related to natural gas discoveries where we were unable to sufficiently progress appraisal negotiations with the regulator.  We also expensed three wells with discovered resources offshore Australia that we determined would not be included in the development concept for the Equus project.  

The preceding table excludes exploratory dry hole costs of $167 million in 2016 and $54 million in 2015, which were incurred and subsequently expensed in the same year.

Exploratory well costs capitalized for greater than one year following completion of drilling were $170 million at December 31, 2017, separated by year of completion as follows (in millions):

Gulf of Mexico: Approximately 70% of the capitalized well costs in excess of one year relates to the appraisal of the northern portion of the Shenzi Field (Hess 28% participating interest) in the Gulf of Mexico, where hydrocarbons were encountered in the fourth quarter of 2015.  The operator is conducting appraisal activities on adjacent acreage and is evaluating plans for development of the northern portion of the Shenzi Field.

JDA:  Approximately 20% of the capitalized well costs in excess of one year relates to the JDA in the Gulf of Thailand (Hess 50%) where hydrocarbons were encountered in three successful exploration wells drilled in the western part of Block A-18.  The operator is currently conducting subsurface evaluations and pre-development planning to facilitate commercial negotiations with the regulator for an extension of the existing gas sales contract to include development of the western part of the block area.

6.  Goodwill

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill were as follows:

 

The change in the carrying amount of goodwill relates to the sale of our enhanced oil recovery assets in the Permian Basin, including a gas plant and associated CO₂ assets.  See Note 2, Dispositions.

7.  Hess Infrastructure Partners LP

On July 1, 2015, we sold a 50% interest in Hess Infrastructure Partners LP (HIP) to Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) for net cash consideration of approximately $2.6 billion.  HIP and its affiliates primarily comprise our Midstream operating segment which provides fee-based services including crude oil and natural gas gathering, processing of natural gas and the fractionation of natural gas liquids, transportation of crude oil by rail car, terminaling and loading crude oil and natural gas liquids, and the storage and terminaling of propane, primarily in the Bakken shale play of North Dakota.  The Midstream operating segment currently generates substantially all of its revenues under long-term, fee-based agreements with our E&P operating segment and intends to pursue additional throughput volumes from third-parties in the Williston Basin area.  We operate the Midstream assets and operations, including routine and emergency maintenance and repair services under various operational and administrative services agreements.

 

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The tariff agreements between our E&P operating segment and the Midstream entities became effective on January 1, 2014 and are 10-year, fee-based commercial agreements, with HIP having the sole option to renew the agreements for an additional 10-year term.  These agreements include minimum volume commitments based on dedicated production, inflation escalators and fee recalculation mechanisms.  The Midstream segment has minimal direct commodity price exposure, and the E&P segment retains ownership of the crude oil, natural gas or natural gas liquids processed, terminaled, stored or transported by the Midstream segment.

We consolidate the activities of HIP, a 50/50 joint venture between Hess Corporation and GIP, which qualifies as a variable interest entity (VIE) under U.S. GAAP.  We have concluded that we are the primary beneficiary of the VIE, as defined in the accounting standards, since we have the power, through our 50% ownership, to direct those activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of HIP.  This conclusion was based on a qualitative analysis that considered HIP’s governance structure, the commercial agreements between HIP and us, and the voting rights established between the members, which provide us the ability to control the operations of HIP.

As a result of the sale to GIP in 2015, we recorded an after-tax gain of $763 million in capital in excess of par value and $1,298 million in noncontrolling interest representing GIP’s proportional share of our basis in the net assets of HIP.  The results attributable to GIP’s 50% ownership are reported within Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Statement of Consolidated Income, while the carrying amount of GIP’s equity is included as Noncontrolling interests in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

At December 31, 2017, HIP liabilities totaling $1,065 million (2016: $841 million) are on a nonrecourse basis to Hess Corporation, while HIP assets available to settle the obligations of HIP included Cash and cash equivalents totaling $356 million (2016: $2 million) and Property, plant and equipment, net totaling $2,520 million (2016: $2,528 million).

8.  Hess Midstream Partners LP – Initial Public Offering

In April 2017, Hess Midstream Partners LP (the “Partnership”), sold 16,997,000 common units representing limited partner interests at a price of $23 per unit in an initial public offering (IPO) for net proceeds of $365.5 million, of which $350 million was distributed 50/50 to Hess Corporation and GIP.  

The Partnership owns an approximate 20% controlling interest in the operating companies that comprise our midstream joint venture, while HIP, the 50/50 joint venture between Hess Corporation and GIP, owns the remaining 80%.  Hess Corporation and GIP each own a direct 33.75% limited partner interest in the Partnership and a 50% indirect ownership interest through HIP in the Partnership’s general partner, which has a 2% economic interest in the Partnership plus incentive distribution rights.  The public unit holders own a 30.5% limited partner interest in the Partnership.

9.  Asset Retirement Obligations

The following table describes changes to our asset retirement obligations:

The liabilities settled or disposed of primarily relate to the sale of our interests in Norway and Equatorial Guinea in 2017.  The fair value of sinking fund deposits that are legally restricted for purposes of settling asset retirement obligations, which are reported in non-current Other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, was $118 million at December 31, 2017 (2016: $102 million).

 

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10.  Debt

Long‑term debt at December 31 consisted of the following:

At December 31, 2017, the maturity profile of total debt was as follows:

Debt – Hess Corporation:  

Fixed-rate public notes:

At December 31, 2017, Hess Corporation’s fixed-rate public notes had a gross principal amount of $5,938 million (2016: $5,938 million) and a weighted average interest rate of 6.0% (2016: 6.0%).  Our long‑term debt agreements, including the revolving credit facility, contain financial covenants that restrict the amount of total borrowings and secured debt.  The most restrictive of these covenants allow us to borrow up to an additional $3,352 million of secured debt at December 31, 2017.  Capitalized interest was $86 million in 2017 (2016: $61 million; 2015: $45 million).

 

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In September 2016, Hess Corporation issued $1 billion of 4.30% senior notes, due in April 2027, and $500 million of 5.80% senior notes, due in April 2047 primarily to fund the repurchase of tendered higher-coupon debt and redemption of near-term maturities.  We used proceeds of $1.38 billion to purchase or redeem $650 million principal amount of 8.125% notes due 2019, $196 million principal amount of 7.875% notes due 2029, $66 million principal amount of 7.30% notes due 2031 and $300 million principal amount of 1.30% notes due 2017.  As a result of this debt refinancing transaction, we incurred a charge of $148 million for the loss on extinguishment of the tendered and redeemed notes.

In February 2018, we purchased $350 million principal amount of 8.125% notes due 2019.  See Note 24, Subsequent Events.  

Credit facility:

In December 2017, the Corporation amended its $4 billion senior syndicated revolving credit facility by extending the facility for one year to January 2021, with a $3.7 billion commitment during the extension period.  Borrowings on the facility will generally bear interest at 1.30% above the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR).  The interest rate will be higher if our credit rating is lowered.  The facility contains a financial covenant that limits the amount of total borrowings on the last day of each fiscal quarter to 60% of the Corporation’s total capitalization, defined as total debt plus stockholders’ equity.  At December 31, 2017, Hess Corporation had no outstanding borrowings or letters of credit issued against the syndicated revolving credit facility and was in compliance with this financial covenant. 

Other outstanding letters of credit at December 31 were as follows:

Debt - Midstream:  

Our Midstream segment holds the following non-recourse debt:

Hess Infrastructure Partners (HIP):

In November 2017, HIP issued $800 million of 5.625% senior notes, due in February 2026 and concurrently amended its senior unsecured credit facilities.  HIP used a portion of the proceeds from the note issuance to repay borrowings under HIP’s credit facilities and to fund a distribution to the partners.  The remaining proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes of the joint venture.  Under the amended credit facilities, the 5-year Term Loan A facility was reduced to $200 million and the 5-year syndicated revolving credit facility increased to $600 million from $400 million previously, with the maturity of both facilities extended to November 2022.  The amended facilities are secured by first-priority perfected liens on substantially all of HIP’s and certain of its wholly-owned subsidiaries’ directly owned assets, including its equity interests in certain subsidiaries, subject to customary exclusions.  The 5-year syndicated revolving credit facility is expected to continue to fund the joint venture’s operating activities and capital expenditures.  Borrowings under the 5-year Term Loan A facility will generally bear interest at LIBOR plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.55% to 2.50%, while the applicable margin for the 5-year syndicated revolving credit facility ranges from 1.275% to 2.000%.  The interest rate continues to be subject to adjustment based on the joint venture’s leverage ratio, which is calculated as total debt to Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA).  If HIP obtains an investment grade credit rating, as defined in the amended credit agreement, pricing levels will be based on the credit ratings in effect from time to time.  The joint venture is subject to customary covenants in the credit agreement that include financial covenants that generally require a leverage ratio of no more than 5.0 to 1.0 for the prior four fiscal quarters and an interest coverage ratio, which is calculated as EBITDA to cash interest expense, of no less than 2.25 to 1.0 for the prior four fiscal quarters.  The amended credit agreement includes a secured leverage ratio test not to exceed 3.75 to 1.00 for so long as the facilities remain secured.  HIP is in compliance with all debt covenants at December 31, 2017, and its financial covenants do not currently impact its ability to issue indebtedness to fund future capital expenditures.  

Hess Midstream Partners (the Partnership / HESM):

In 2017, HESM entered into a $300 million 4-year secured syndicated revolving credit facility that can be used for borrowings and letters of credit to fund operating activities and capital expenditures of the Partnership.  At December 31, 2017, this facility was undrawn.

 

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11.  Share-based Compensation

We have established and maintain a Long-term Incentive Plan (LTIP), as amended, for the granting of restricted common shares, performance share units (PSUs) and stock options to our employees.  As of December 31, 2017, the total number of authorized common stock under the LTIP, as amended, was 51.5 million shares, of which we have 20.8 million shares available for issuance.  Restricted stock generally vests equally on an annual basis over a three-year term while PSUs generally vest three years from the date of grant.  Restricted common shares are valued based on the prevailing market price of our common stock on the date of grant.  Stock options vest over three years from the date of grant, have a 10‑year term, and the exercise price equals market price on the date of grant.

The number of shares of common stock to be issued under a PSU agreement is based on a comparison of the Corporation’s total shareholder return (TSR) to the TSR of a predetermined group of peer companies over a three‑year performance period ending December 31 of the year prior to settlement of the grant.  Payouts of the performance share awards will range from 0% to 200% of the target awards based on the Corporation’s TSR ranking within the peer group.  Dividend equivalents for the performance period will accrue on performance shares, but will only be paid out on earned shares after the performance period.

Share‑based compensation expense consisted of the following:

 

Based on share‑based compensation awards outstanding at December 31, 2017, unearned compensation expense, before income taxes, will be recognized in future years as follows (in millions): 2018—$65, 2019—$34,  and 2020—$5.

Share‑based compensation activity consisted of the following:

As of December 31, 2017, there were 6.48 million outstanding stock options (5.22 million exercisable) with a weighted average remaining contractual life of 3.6 years (2.3 years for exercisable options) and an aggregated intrinsic value of $2.2 million ($0.8 million for exercisable options).  The weighted average exercise price for options exercisable at December 31, 2017 was $70.65 per share.

The following weighted average assumptions were utilized to estimate the fair value of stock options:

 

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The following weighted average assumptions were utilized to estimate the fair value of PSU awards:

The risk-free interest rate is based on the vesting period of the award and is obtained from published sources.  The stock price volatility is determined from the historical stock prices of the peer group using the vesting period.  The contractual term is equivalent to the vesting period.

12.  Retirement Plans

  We have funded noncontributory defined benefit pension plans for a significant portion of our employees.  In addition, we have an unfunded supplemental pension plan covering certain employees, which provides incremental payments that would have been payable from our principal pension plans, were it not for limitations imposed by income tax regulations.  The plans provide defined benefits based on years of service and final average salary.  Additionally, we maintain an unfunded postretirement medical plan that provides health benefits to certain qualified retirees from ages 55 through 65.  The measurement date for all retirement plans is December 31.

The following table summarizes the benefit obligations, the fair value of plan assets, and the funded status of our pension and postretirement medical plans:

  Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31 consisted of the following:

 

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At December 31, 2017, the accumulated benefit obligation for the funded and unfunded defined benefit pension plans was $2,679 million and $190 million, respectively (2016: $2,471 million and $203 million, respectively).

The net periodic benefit cost for funded and unfunded pension plans, and the postretirement medical plan, is as follows:

For our pension and postretirement medical plans in 2018, service cost is estimated to be approximately $55 million, interest cost is estimated to be approximately $90 million, amortization of unrecognized net actuarial losses is estimated to be approximately $50 million, and the estimated expected return on plan assets is estimated to be approximately $195 million.

The weighted average actuarial assumptions used for funded and unfunded pension plans were as follows:

The actuarial assumptions used for postretirement medical plan, as follows:

The assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for each year were established at the end of each previous year while the assumptions used to determine benefit obligations were established at each year‑end.  The net periodic benefit cost and the actuarial present value of benefit obligations are based on actuarial assumptions that are reviewed on an annual basis.  The discount rate is developed based on a portfolio of high‑quality, fixed income debt instruments with maturities that approximate the expected payment of plan obligations.  Beginning in 2018, the Corporation has elected to use a split discount rate approach for all of its retirement plans.  This involves the continued use of a single weighted-average discount rate in the calculation of the projected benefit obligation, and separate discount rates for each projected benefit payment in the calculation of service cost and interest cost.  In contrast, historically, a single weighted-average discount rate was used in both the calculation of the projected benefit obligation, and service cost and interest cost.  This change, which is expected to decrease service cost and interest cost in 2018 by approximately $12 million before income taxes, is a change in accounting estimate that will be applied prospectively.

The overall expected return on plan assets is developed from the expected future returns for each asset category, weighted by the target allocation of pension assets to that asset category.  The future expected return assumptions for individual asset categories are largely based on inputs from various investment experts regarding their future return expectations for particular asset categories.

Our investment strategy is to maximize long‑term returns at an acceptable level of risk through broad diversification of plan assets in a variety of asset classes.  Asset classes and target allocations are determined by our investment committee and include domestic and foreign equities, fixed income, and other investments, including hedge funds, real estate and private equity.  Investment managers are prohibited from investing in securities issued by us unless indirectly held as part of an index

 

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strategy.  The majority of plan assets are highly liquid, providing ample liquidity for benefit payment requirements.  The current target allocations for plan assets are 50% equity securities, 25% fixed income securities (including cash and short‑term investment funds) and 25% to all other types of investments.  Asset allocations are rebalanced on a periodic basis throughout the year to bring assets to within an acceptable range of target levels.

The following tables provide the fair value of the financial assets of the funded pension plans as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 in accordance with the fair value measurement hierarchy described in Note 1, Nature of Operations, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Accounting Policies.

Cash and short‑term investment funds consist of cash on hand and short-term investment funds that provide for daily investments and redemptions and are valued and carried at a $1 net asset value (NAV) per fund share.  Cash on hand is classified as Level 1 and short‑term investment funds are classified as Level 2.

Equities consist of equity securities issued by U.S. and non‑U.S. corporations as well as commingled investment funds that invest in equity securities.  Individually held equity securities, which are traded actively on exchanges and have readily available price quotes, are classified as Level 1.  Commingled fund values, which are valued at the NAV per fund share derived from the quoted prices in active markets of the underlying securities, are classified as Level 2.

Fixed income investments consist of securities issued by the U.S. government, non‑U.S. governments, governmental agencies, municipalities and corporations, and agency and non-agency mortgage‑backed securities.  This investment category

 

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also includes commingled investment funds that invest in fixed income securities.  Individual fixed income securities are generally priced on the basis of evaluated prices from independent pricing services, which are monitored and provided by the third-party custodial firm responsible for safekeeping plan assets.  Individual fixed income securities are classified as Level 2 or 3.  Fixed income commingled fund values, which reflect the NAV per fund share derived indirectly from observable inputs or from quoted prices in less liquid markets of the underlying securities, are classified as Level 2.

Other investments consist of exchange‑traded real estate investment trust securities, as well as commingled fund and limited partnership investments in hedge funds, private equity, real estate and diversified commodities.  Exchange‑traded securities are classified as Level 1.  Commingled fund values reflect the NAV per fund share and are classified as Level 2 or 3.  Private equity and real estate limited partnership values reflect information reported by the fund managers, which include inputs such as cost, operating results, discounted future cash flows, market based comparable data and independent appraisals from third‑party sources with professional qualifications.  Hedge funds, private equity and non‑exchange‑traded real estate investments are classified as Level 3.

The following tables provide changes in financial assets that are measured at fair value based on Level 3 inputs that are held by institutional funds classified as:

 

We expect to contribute approximately $44 million to our funded pension plans in 2018.

Estimated future benefit payments by the funded and unfunded pension plans, and the postretirement medical plan, which reflect expected future service, are as follows (in millions):

We also have several defined contribution plans for certain eligible employees.  Employees may contribute a portion of their compensation to these plans and we match a portion of the employee contributions.  We recorded expense of $22 million in 2017 for contributions to these plans (2016: $25 million; 2015: $28 million).

13.  Exit and Disposal Costs

In 2017, we incurred severance expense of $18 million (2016: $55 million; 2015: $13 million) and paid accrued severance costs of $48 million (2016: $52 million; 2015: $57 million).  The severance expenses in 2017 resulted from certain asset disposals, as detailed in Note 2, Dispositions.  In 2016 and 2015, severance charges related to a realignment of our organization structure communicated in November 2016 and a divestiture program announced in 2013, respectively.  Severance charges were based on amounts incurred under ongoing severance arrangements or other statutory requirements, plus amounts earned under enhanced benefit arrangements.  We recognized the expense associated with the enhanced benefits ratably over the estimated service period required for the employee to earn the benefit upon termination.  

In 2017, we incurred other facility and exit related costs of $14 million (2016: $-; 2015: $15 million) and settled $3 millions of these costs (2016: $2 million; 2015: $21 million).  The facility and other exit costs related to charges associated with the cessation of use of certain leased office space and contract terminations.

 

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At December 31, 2017, we had accrued liabilities for severance costs of $6 million (2016: $36 million) and accrued liabilities for exit costs of $28 million (2016: $17 million).  Of the accrued liabilities at December 31, 2017, all severance costs are expected to be paid in 2018 and the exit costs will be paid over the next several years.

14.  Income Taxes

The provision (benefit) for income taxes from continuing operations consisted of:

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes consisted of the following:

The components of deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets at December 31 were as follows:

 

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At December 31, 2017, we have recognized a gross deferred tax asset related to net operating loss carryforwards of $4,029 million before application of valuation allowances.  The deferred tax asset is comprised of $1,386 million attributable to foreign net operating losses which begin to expire in 2024, $2,180 million attributable to U.S. federal operating losses a portion of which begin to expire in 2028, and the majority of which begin to expire in 2034, and $463 million attributable to losses in various U.S. states which began to expire in 2018.  The deferred tax asset attributable to foreign net operating losses, net of valuation allowances, is $9 million.  A full valuation allowance is established against the deferred tax asset attributable to U.S. federal and state net operating losses.  At December 31, 2017, we have U.S. federal, U.S. state and foreign alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards of $53 million, which can be carried forward indefinitely, and approximately $15 million of other business credit carryforwards.  The deferred tax asset attributable to these credits, net of valuation allowances, is $4 million. A full valuation allowance is established against our foreign tax credit carryforwards of $70 million, which begin to expire in 2018.

As of December 31, 2017, the Balance Sheet reflects a $5,199 million valuation allowance against the net deferred tax assets for multiple jurisdictions based on application of the relevant accounting standards.  Hess continues to maintain a full valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets in the U.S., Denmark (hydrocarbon tax only), Malaysia, and Guyana. Management assesses the available positive and negative evidence to estimate whether sufficient future taxable income will be generated to permit the use of deferred tax assets.  The cumulative loss incurred over the three-year period ending December 31, 2017 constitutes significant objective negative evidence.  Such objective negative evidence limits our ability to consider subjective positive evidence, such as our projections of future taxable income, resulting in the recognition of a valuation allowance against the net deferred tax assets for these jurisdictions.  The amount of the deferred tax asset considered realizable, however, could be adjusted if estimates of future taxable income change or if objective negative evidence in the form of cumulative losses is no longer present and additional weight can be given to subjective evidence.

The enactment of U.S. federal tax reform, commonly referred to as the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“Act”), provided for broad changes to the taxation of both domestic and foreign operations.  The provisions of the Act, including its extensive transition rules, are complex and interpretive guidance continues to develop.  Final application of the Act to our operations and financial results may differ from that for which we have provisionally provided as of December 31, 2017.  Changes could arise as regulatory and interpretive action continues to clarify aspects of the Act and as changes are made to estimates that the Corporation has utilized in calculating the transition impacts.  No U.S. federal tax has been accrued on the deemed repatriation of unremitted earnings of our foreign subsidiaries.  A decrease in the U.S. federal corporate tax rate to 21% from 35% resulted in a $1,476 million reduction to our U.S. federal net deferred tax asset as of December 31, 2017, with a corresponding reduction in the previously established U.S. valuation allowance.  A deferred tax liability of $110 million no longer meets the recognition criteria with the transition to a territorial regime for U.S. taxation of foreign earnings and has been derecognized, with a corresponding adjustment to the valuation allowance against the U.S. federal net deferred tax asset.  Under the transition rules related to the repeal of the alternative minimum tax regime, an alternative minimum tax credit carryforward of $4 million will be refundable if not used to offset regular tax liability.  The previously established valuation allowance against this credit carryforward has been released.  Consequently, these tax law changes resulted in a net $4 million increase to net deferred tax asset on the balance sheet and benefit to deferred tax expense.  

In the Consolidated Balance Sheet, deferred tax assets and liabilities are netted by taxing jurisdiction and are recorded at December 31 as follows:

 

 

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The difference between our effective income tax rate from continuing operations and the U.S. statutory rate is reconciled below:

Below is a reconciliation of the gross beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized tax benefits:

The December 31, 2017 balance of unrecognized tax benefits includes $30 million (2016: $233 million) that, if recognized, would impact our effective income tax rate.  Over the next 12 months, it is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits could decrease between $58 million and $139 million due to settlements with taxing authorities or other resolutions, as well as lapses in statutes of limitation.  At December 31, 2017, our accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits is $23 million (2016: $29 million).

We are no longer indefinitely reinvested with respect to the book in excess of tax basis in the investment in our foreign subsidiaries.  Because of U.S. tax reform we expect that the future reversal of such temporary differences will occur free of material taxation.

We file income tax returns in the U.S. and various foreign jurisdictions.  We are no longer subject to examinations by income tax authorities in most jurisdictions for years prior to 2005.

15.  Discontinued Operations

Discontinued operations in the Statement of Consolidated Income and the Statement of Consolidated Cash Flows reflects the results of our ownership in an energy trading partnership through the date of disposal in February 2015, which was part of our former Marketing and Refining segment.

16.  Common and Preferred Stock Issuance

In February 2016, we issued 28,750,000 shares of common stock and depositary shares representing 575,000 shares of 8% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock (Convertible Preferred Stock), par value $1 per share, with a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share, for total net proceeds of approximately $1.6 billion after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions, and offering expenses.  The dividends on the Convertible Preferred Stock are payable on a cumulative basis.  Unless converted earlier, each share of Convertible Preferred Stock will automatically convert into between 21.822 shares

 

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and 25.642 shares of our common stock based on the average share price over a period of twenty consecutive trading days ending prior to February 1, 2019 (the “Final Average Price”), subject to anti-dilution adjustments.  See Note 17, Outstanding and Weighted Average Common Shares.

We also entered into capped call transactions that are expected generally to reduce the potential dilution to our common stock upon conversion of the Convertible Preferred Stock if the Final Average Price exceeds $45.83 per share, subject to anti-dilution adjustments.  The number of common shares to be delivered by the counterparties to us will be the value of the capped call transactions at conversion divided by the Final Average Price.  The value of the capped call transactions will be zero if the Final Average Price is $45.83 or less and can be up to the capped value of approximately $98 million if the Final Average Price is $53.625 or higher.  For any Final Average Price between $45.83 and $53.625, the value of the capped call transactions will be 12.55 million covered shares multiplied by the difference between the Final Average Price and $45.83.  The premium paid for the capped call transactions was $37 million, which was recorded against Capital in excess of par in the Statement of Consolidated Equity. 

17.  Outstanding and Weighted Average Common Shares

The following table provides the changes in our outstanding common shares:

The following table presents the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

 

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The following table summarizes the number of antidilutive shares excluded from the computation of diluted shares:

In 2017, 2016 and 2015, cash dividends declared on common stock totaled $1.00 per share ($0.25 per quarter).

18.  Share Repurchase Plan

In March 2013, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $4.0 billion in aggregate purchase price of our common stock.  In May 2014, the Board of Directors approved an increase in the program to $6.5 billion.  Repurchases under this program to date have been as follows:

 

As of December 31, 2017, we are authorized, but not required, to purchase additional common stock up to a value of $1.03 billion.  In 2018, we plan to repurchase approximately $380 million of common stock.

19.  Supplementary Cash Flow Information

The following information supplements the Statement of Consolidated Cash Flows:

 

 

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20.  Leased Assets

We and certain of our subsidiaries lease drilling rigs, office space and other assets for varying periods under contractual obligations accounted for as operating leases.  Operating lease expenses for drilling rigs used to drill development wells and successful exploration wells are capitalized.  At December 31, 2017, future minimum rental payments applicable to non‑cancelable operating leases with remaining terms of one year or more (other than oil and gas property leases) are as follows (in millions):

 

Rental expense was as follows:

 

21.  Guarantees, Contingencies and Commitments

Guarantees and Contingencies

At December 31, 2017, we have $31 million in letters of credit for which we are contingently liable.  In addition, we are subject to loss contingencies with respect to various claims, lawsuits and other proceedings.  A liability is recognized in our consolidated financial statements when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated.  If the risk of loss is probable, but the amount cannot be reasonably estimated or the risk of loss is only reasonably possible, a liability is not accrued; however, we disclose the nature of those contingencies.  We cannot predict with certainty if, how or when existing claims, lawsuits and proceedings will be resolved or what the eventual relief, if any, may be, particularly for proceedings that are in their early stages of development or where plaintiffs seek indeterminate damages.  Numerous issues may need to be resolved, including through lengthy discovery, conciliation and/or arbitration proceedings, or litigation before a loss or range of loss can be reasonably estimated.  Subject to the foregoing, in management’s opinion, based upon currently known facts and circumstances, the outcome of such lawsuits, claims and proceedings, including the matters described below, is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.  However, we could incur judgments, enter into settlements, or revise our opinion regarding the outcome of certain matters, and such developments could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations in the period in which the amounts are accrued and our cash flows in the period in which the amounts are paid.

We, along with many companies that have been or continue to be engaged in refining and marketing of gasoline, have been a party to lawsuits and claims related to the use of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) in gasoline.  A series of similar lawsuits, many involving water utilities or governmental entities, were filed in jurisdictions across the U.S. against producers of MTBE and petroleum refiners who produced gasoline containing MTBE, including us.  The principal allegation in all cases was that gasoline containing MTBE is a defective product and that these parties are strictly liable in proportion to their share of the gasoline market for damage to groundwater resources and are required to take remedial action to ameliorate the alleged effects on the environment of releases of MTBE.  The majority of the cases asserted against us have been settled.  There are four remaining active cases, filed by Pennsylvania, Vermont, Rhode Island, and Maryland.  In June 2014, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the State of Vermont each filed independent lawsuits alleging that we and all major oil companies with operations in each respective state, have damaged the groundwater in those states by introducing thereto gasoline with MTBE.  The Pennsylvania suit has been removed to Federal court and has been forwarded to the existing MTBE multidistrict litigation pending in the Southern District of New York.  The suit filed in Vermont is proceeding there in a state court.  In September 2016, the State of Rhode Island also filed a lawsuit alleging that we and other major oil companies damaged the groundwater in Rhode Island by introducing thereto gasoline with MTBE.  The suit filed in Rhode Island is proceeding in Federal court.  In December 2017, the State of Maryland filed a lawsuit alleging that we and other

 

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major oil companies damaged the groundwater in Maryland by introducing thereto gasoline with MTBE.  The suit filed in Maryland was filed in state court, but has not been served to date.

In September 2003, we received a directive from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to remediate contamination in the sediments of the Lower Passaic River.  The NJDEP is also seeking natural resource damages.  The directive, insofar as it affects us, relates to alleged releases from a petroleum bulk storage terminal in Newark, New Jersey we previously owned.  We and over 70 companies entered into an Administrative Order on Consent with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to study the same contamination; this work remains ongoing.  We and other parties settled a cost recovery claim by the State of New Jersey and also agreed with EPA to fund remediation of a portion of the site.  On March 4, 2016, the EPA issued a Record of Decision (ROD) in respect of the lower eight miles of the Lower Passaic River, selecting a remedy that includes bank-to-bank dredging at an estimated cost of $1.38 billion.  The ROD does not address the upper nine miles of the Lower Passaic River or the Newark Bay, which may require additional remedial action.  In addition, the federal trustees for natural resources have begun a separate assessment of damages to natural resources in the Passaic River.  Given that the EPA has not selected a remedy for the entirety of the Lower Passaic River or the Newark Bay, total remedial costs cannot be reliably estimated at this time.  Based on currently known facts and circumstances, we do not believe that this matter will result in a significant liability to us because there are numerous other parties who we expect will share in the cost of remediation and damages and our former terminal did not store or use contaminants which are of the greatest concern in the river sediments and could not have contributed contamination along most of the river’s length.

In March 2014, we received an Administrative Order from EPA requiring us and 26 other parties to undertake the Remedial Design for the remedy selected by the EPA for the Gowanus Canal Superfund Site in Brooklyn, New York.  The remedy includes dredging of surface sediments and the placement of a cap over the deeper sediments throughout the Canal and in-situ stabilization of certain contaminated sediments that will remain in place below the cap.  EPA has estimated that this remedy will cost $506 million; however, the ultimate costs that will be incurred in connection with the design and implementation of the remedy remain uncertain.  Our alleged liability derives from our former ownership and operation of a fuel oil terminal and connected ship-building and repair facility adjacent to the Canal.  We indicated to EPA that we would comply with the Administrative Order and are currently contributing funding for the Remedial Design based on an interim allocation of costs among the parties.  At the same time, we are participating in an allocation process whereby a neutral expert selected by the parties will determine the final shares of the Remedial Design costs to be paid by each of the participants.  

On September 28, 2017, we received a general notice letter and offer to settle from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency relating to Superfund claims for the Ector Drum, Inc.  Superfund Site in Odessa, TX.  The EPA and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) took clean-up and response action at the site commencing in 2014 and concluded in December 2015.  The site was determined to have improperly stored industrial waste, including drums with oily liquids.  The total clean-up cost incurred by the EPA was approximately $3.5 million.  We were invited to negotiate a voluntary settlement for our purported share of the clean-up costs.  Our share, if any, is undetermined.  

From time to time, we are involved in other judicial and administrative proceedings, including proceedings relating to other environmental matters.  We cannot predict with certainty if, how or when such proceedings will be resolved or what the eventual relief, if any, may be, particularly for proceedings that are in their early stages of development or where plaintiffs seek indeterminate damages.  Numerous issues may need to be resolved, including through potentially lengthy discovery and determination of important factual matters before a loss or range of loss can be reasonably estimated for any proceeding.

Subject to the foregoing, in management’s opinion, based upon currently known facts and circumstances, the outcome of the aforementioned proceedings are not expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Unconditional Purchase Obligations and Commitments

The following table shows aggregate information for certain unconditional purchase obligations and commitments at December 31, 2017, which are not included elsewhere within these Consolidated Financial Statements:

 

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

22.  Segment Information

We currently have two operating segments, Exploration and Production (E&P) and Midstream.  The E&P operating segment explores for, develops, produces, purchases and sells crude oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas.  Production operations over the three years ended December 31, 2017 were primarily in the United States (U.S.), Denmark, the JDA and Malaysia, and from divested assets, including Equatorial Guinea and Norway. The Midstream operating segment provides fee-based services including crude oil and natural gas gathering, processing of natural gas and the fractionation of natural gas liquids, transportation of crude oil by rail car, terminaling and loading crude oil and natural gas liquids, and the storage and terminaling of propane, primarily in the Bakken shale play of North Dakota.  All unallocated costs are reflected under Corporate, Interest and Other.

The following table presents operating segment financial data for continuing operations (in millions):

 

 

 

 

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HESS CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

The following table presents financial information by major geographic area:

 

23.  Financial Risk Management Activities

In the normal course of our business, we are exposed to commodity risks related to changes in the prices of crude oil and natural gas as well as changes in interest rates and foreign currency values.  In the disclosures that follow, corporate financial risk management activities refer to the mitigation of these risks through hedging activities.  We maintain a control environment for all of our financial risk management activities under the direction of our Chief Risk Officer.  Our Treasury department is responsible for administering foreign exchange rate and interest rate hedging programs using similar controls and processes, where applicable.  Hedging strategies are reviewed annually by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.  

Corporate Financial Risk Management Activities: Financial risk management activities include transactions designed to reduce risk in the selling prices of crude oil or natural gas we produced or by reducing our exposure to foreign currency or interest rate movements.  Generally, futures, swaps or option strategies may be used to fix the forward selling price of a portion of our crude oil or natural gas production.  Forward contracts may also be used to purchase certain currencies in which we conduct the business with the intent of reducing exposure to foreign currency fluctuations.  At December 31, 2017, these forward contracts relate to the British Pound.  Interest rate swaps may be used to convert interest payments on certain long-term debt from fixed to floating rates and, in the case of certain long-term debt relating to our Midstream operating segment, from floating to fixed rates.

Gross notional amounts of both long and short positions are presented in the volume tables beginning below.  These amounts include long and short positions that offset in closed positions and have not reached contractual maturity.  Gross notional amounts do not quantify risk or represent assets or liabilities of the Corporation, but are used in the calculation of cash settlements under the contracts.

 

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HESS CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

The gross notional amounts of financial risk management derivative contracts outstanding at December 31, were as follows:

At December 31, 2017, we have outstanding West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil collar contracts with a notional amount of 115,000 bopd for 2018 with an average monthly floor price of $50 per barrel and an average monthly ceiling price of $65 per barrel.  Contracts with a notional amount of 90,000 bopd are designated as cash flow hedges, while 25,000 bopd were de-designated as cash flow hedges following the shutdown of a third-party operated offshore platform as a result of a fire in the fourth quarter of 2017.

The table below reflects the gross and net fair values of the risk management derivative instruments, all of which are based on Level 2 inputs:

Income statement impact of derivative contracts designated as hedging instruments:

Crude oil collars: In 2017, crude oil price hedging contracts decreased Sales and other operating revenues by $34 million (2016: $-; 2015: increase of $126 million).  This amount includes a loss of $71 million associated with changes in the time value of crude oil collars (2016: $-; 2015: losses of $48 million), and a charge of $1 million for hedge ineffectiveness (2016: $-; 2015: $-).  At December 31, 2017, after-tax deferred losses in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to outstanding hedged crude oil collars were $127 million, of which all will be reclassified into earnings during the next 12 months as the hedged crude oil sales are recognized in earnings.  There were no crude oil hedge contracts in 2016.

Interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges:  At December 31, 2017, we had interest rate swaps with gross notional amounts of $450 million (2016: $350 million), which were designated as fair value hedges and relate to debt where we have converted interest payments on certain long-term debt from fixed to floating rates.  During 2016, we settled existing interest rate swaps and received cash proceeds of $5 million (2015: $41 million).  Changes in the fair value of interest rate swaps and the hedged fixed‑rate debt are recorded in Interest expense in the Statement of Consolidated Income.  In 2017, the change in fair value of interest rate swaps was an increase in the derivative liability of $4 million (2016: $6 million increase in asset; 2015: $4 million increase in asset) with a corresponding adjustment in the carrying value of the hedged fixed‑rate debt.  In February 2018, we terminated interest rate swaps with a gross notional amount of $350 million.  See Note 24, Subsequent Events.  

 

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HESS CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges:  At December 31, 2017, there were no outstanding interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges.  During 2017, HIP entered into interest rate swaps with gross notional amounts totaling $553 million to convert interest payments on certain long-term debt from floating to fixed rates before settling these instruments as part of the refinancing that occurred later in the year.  See Note 10, Debt.  In 2017, the change in fair value of interest rate swaps was an increase to assets of $3 million and the cash settlement was $3 million.  At December 31, 2017, after-tax deferred income in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in connection with the settled instruments, was $1 million, of which all will be reclassified into earnings during the next 12 months.

Income statement impact of derivative contracts not designated as hedging instruments:

Crude oil collars:  In 2017, noncash adjustments to de-designated crude oil price hedging contracts decreased Sales and other operating revenues by $25 million.  At December 31, 2017, after-tax deferred losses in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in connection with the de-designation, were $12 million, of which all will be reclassified into earnings during the next 12 months as the originally hedged crude oil sales are recognized in earnings.

Foreign exchange:  Total foreign exchange gains and losses were a gain of $15 million in 2017 (2016: gain of $26 million; 2015: loss of $21 million) and are reported in Other, net in Revenues and non-operating income in the Statement of Consolidated Income.  A component of foreign exchange gains or losses is the result of foreign exchange derivative contracts that are not designated as hedges which amounted to a gain of $3 million in 2017 (2016: gain of $62 million; 2015: gain of $98 million).

In 2017, after‑tax foreign currency translation adjustments included in the Statement of Consolidated Comprehensive Income amounted to a gain of $144 million (2016: gain of $56 million; 2015: loss of $344 million) and $900 million of cumulative currency translation losses that were recognized in earnings as a result of the sale of our assets in Norway.  See Note 2, Dispositions.  Cumulative currency translation adjustments reduced stockholders’ equity by $1,044 million at December 31, 2016.

Credit Risk: We are exposed to credit risks that may at times be concentrated with certain counterparties, groups of counterparties or customers.  Accounts receivable are generated from a diverse domestic and international customer base.  As of December 31, 2017, our Accounts receivable—Trade were concentrated with the following counterparty industry segments:  Integrated companies — 50%, Refining and marketing companies — 17%, Independent E&P companies — 14%, Storage and transportation companies — 7%, National oil companies — 2% and Others — 10%.  We reduce risk related to certain counterparties, where applicable, by using master netting arrangements and requiring collateral, generally cash or letters of credit.  

At December 31, 2017, we had outstanding letters of credit totaling $246 million (2016: $188 million).

Fair Value Measurement: We have other short-term financial instruments, primarily cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable, for which the carrying value approximated fair value at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016.  In addition, the disclosure for fair value of long-term debt in Note 10, Debt was based on Level 2 inputs.

24.  Subsequent Events

In January 2018, we eliminated approximately 300 employee positions as part of a cost reduction program following the 2017 asset sales.  We expect to record employee severance costs of $40 million to $50 million in the first quarter of 2018.

On February 15, 2018, Hess Corporation redeemed $350 million principal amount of 8.125% notes due 2019 for $370 million.  The carrying value of these notes, which are included in Current maturities of long-term debt in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, was $349 million at December 31, 2017.  Concurrent with the redemption, the Corporation terminated interest rate swaps with a notional amount of $350 million, which were previously designated as fair value hedges of these notes.

On February 16, 2018, we entered into an agreement to sell our interests in Ghana for total consideration of $100 million, consisting of a $25 million payment upon closing and a further payment of $75 million payable upon approval of the Plan of Development on the Deepwater Tano Cape Three Points block.  The transaction is subject to government approval and customary closing conditions.

 

 

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HESS CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

SUPPLEMENTARY OIL AND GAS DATA (UNAUDITED)

The Supplementary Oil and Gas Data that follows is presented in accordance with ASC 932, Disclosures about Oil and Gas Producing Activities, and includes (1) costs incurred, capitalized costs and results of operations relating to oil and gas producing activities, (2) net proved oil and gas reserves and (3) a standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows relating to proved oil and gas reserves, including a reconciliation of changes therein.

During the three-year period ended December 31, 2017, we produced crude oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas principally in the United States (U.S.), Europe (Norway and Denmark), Africa (Equatorial Guinea, Libya and Algeria) and Asia and Other (the Malaysia/Thailand Joint Development Area (JDA), and Malaysia).  Exploration activities were also conducted, or are planned, in certain of these areas as well as additional countries.  See Note 2, Dispositions in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Costs Incurred in Oil and Gas Producing Activities

Capitalized Costs Relating to Oil and Gas Producing Activities

 

 

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Results of Operations for Oil and Gas Producing Activities

The results of operations shown below exclude non‑oil and gas producing activities, primarily gains (losses) on sales of oil and gas properties, sales of purchased crude oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas, interest expense and other non-operating income. Therefore, these results are on a different basis than the net income (loss) from E&P operations reported in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and in Note 22, Segment Information in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Proved Oil and Gas Reserves

Our proved oil and gas reserves are calculated in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulations and the requirements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board.  Proved oil and gas reserves are quantities, which by analysis of geoscience and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be economically producible from known reservoirs under existing economic conditions, operating methods and government regulations.  Our estimation of net recoverable quantities of liquid hydrocarbons and natural gas is a highly technical process performed by our internal teams of geoscience and reservoir engineering professionals.  Estimates of reserves were prepared by the use of appropriate geologic, petroleum engineering, and evaluation principles and techniques that are in accordance with practices generally recognized by the petroleum industry as presented in the publication of the Society of Petroleum Engineers entitled “Standards Pertaining to the Estimating and Auditing of Oil and Gas Reserves Information (Revision as of February 19, 2007).”  The method or combination of methods used in the analysis of each reservoir is based on the maturity of the reservoir, the completeness of the subsurface data available at the time of the estimate, the stage of reservoir development and the production history.  Where applicable, reliable technologies may be used in reserve estimation, as defined in the SEC regulations.  These technologies, including computational methods, must have been field tested and demonstrated to provide reasonably certain results with consistency and repeatability in the formation being evaluated or in an analogous formation.  In order for reserves to be classified as proved, any required government approvals must be obtained and depending on the cost of the project, either senior management or the Board of Directors must commit to fund the development.  Our proved reserves are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, which are discussed in Item 1A. Risk Factors of this Form 10‑K.

Internal Controls

The Corporation maintains internal controls over its oil and gas reserve estimation processes, which are administered by the Corporation’s Director, Global Reserves and its Chief Financial Officer. Estimates of reserves are prepared by technical staff who work directly with the oil and gas properties using standard reserve estimation guidelines, definitions and methodologies.  Each year, reserve estimates for a selection of the Corporation’s assets are subject to internal technical audits and reviews.  In addition, an independent third-party reserve engineer reviews and audits a significant portion of the Corporation’s reported reserves (see pages 84 through 89).  Reserve estimates are reviewed by senior management and the Board of Directors.

Qualifications

The person primarily responsible for overseeing the preparation of the Corporation’s oil and gas reserves during 2017 was Mr. David DuBois, Director Global Reserves. Mr. DuBois is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers and has over 30 years of experience in the oil and gas industry with a BS degree in Petroleum Engineering. His experience has been primarily focused on oil and gas subsurface understanding and reserves estimation in both domestic and international areas.  Mr. DuBois is responsible for the Corporation’s Global Reserves group, which is the internal organization responsible for establishing the policies and processes used within the operating units to estimate reserves and perform internal technical reserve audits and reviews.

Reserves Audit

We engaged the consulting firm of DeGolyer and MacNaughton (D&M) to perform an audit of the internally prepared reserve estimates on certain fields aggregating 80% of 2017 year‑end reported reserve quantities on a barrel of oil equivalent basis (2016: 78%). The purpose of this audit was to provide additional assurance on the reasonableness of internally prepared reserve estimates and compliance with SEC regulations. The D&M letter report, dated February 7, 2018, on the Corporation’s estimated oil and gas reserves was prepared using standard geological and engineering methods generally recognized in the petroleum industry. D&M is an independent petroleum engineering consulting firm that has been providing petroleum consulting services throughout the world for over 70 years.  D&M’s letter report on the Corporation’s December 31, 2017 oil and gas reserves is included as an exhibit to this Form 10‑K. While the D&M report should be read in

 

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its entirety, the report concludes that for the properties reviewed by D&M, the total net proved reserve estimates prepared by Hess and audited by D&M, in the aggregate, differed by 4% (2016: 3%) of total audited net proved reserves on a barrel of oil equivalent basis. The report also includes among other information, the qualifications of the technical person primarily responsible for overseeing the reserve audit.

Crude Oil Prices Used to Estimate Proved Reserves

Proved reserves are calculated using the average price during the twelve-month period before December 31 determined as an unweighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month price for each month within the year, unless prices are defined by contractual agreements, excluding escalations based on future conditions.  Crude oil prices used in the determination of proved reserves at December 31, 2017 were $51.19 per barrel for WTI (2016: $42.68; 2015: $50.13) and $54.87 per barrel for Brent (2016: $44.45; 2015: $55.10).  New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) natural gas prices used were $3.03 per mcf in 2017 (2016: $2.54; 2015: $2.63).

At December 31, 2017, spot prices for WTI oil closed at $60.42 per barrel.  If crude oil prices during 2018 average below those used in determining 2017 proved reserves, we may recognize negative revisions to our proved undeveloped reserves or to our proved developed reserves at December 31, 2018, which can vary significantly by asset due to differing operating cost structures.  Conversely, if crude oil prices in 2018 remain above those used in determining 2017 proved reserves, we could recognize positive revisions to our proved reserves at December 31, 2018.  It is difficult to estimate the magnitude of any potential negative or positive change in proved reserves as of December 31, 2018, due to a number of factors that are currently unknown, including 2018 crude oil prices, any revisions based on 2018 reservoir performance, and the levels to which industry costs will change in response to movements in commodity prices.

 

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Following are the Corporation’s proved reserves:

 

 

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Extensions, discoveries and other additions (‘Additions’)

2017:  Total Additions were 291 million boe, of which 11 million boe (4 million barrels of crude oil, 1 million barrels of natural gas liquids and 37 million mcf of natural gas) related to proved developed reserves.  Additions to proved developed reserves were primarily from drilling activity in the Bakken shale play in North Dakota and in the North Malay Basin.  Additions to proved undeveloped reserves were 280 million boe (170 million barrels of crude oil, 49 million barrels of natural gas liquids and 365 million mcf of natural gas) and are discussed in further detail on page 87.

2016:  Total Additions were 69 million boe, of which 45 million boe (34 million barrels of crude oil, 2 million barrels of natural gas liquids and 55 million mcf of natural gas) related to proved developed reserves.  Additions to proved developed reserves were primarily from drilling activity in the Bakken shale play in North Dakota and from a 20-year extension to the license for the South Arne Field, offshore Denmark, which extends expiry to 2047.  Additions to proved undeveloped reserves were 24 million boe (11 million barrels of crude oil, 3 million barrels of natural gas liquids and 59 million mcf of natural gas) and are discussed in further detail on page 87.

2015:  Total Additions were 82 million boe, of which 33 million boe (19 million barrels of crude oil, 5 million barrels of natural gas liquids and 54 million mcf of natural gas) related to proved developed reserves.  Additions to proved developed reserves were primarily from drilling activity in the Bakken shale play in North Dakota and the Utica shale play in Ohio.  Additions to proved undeveloped reserves were 49 million boe (33 million barrels of crude oil, 7 million barrels of natural gas liquids and 56 million mcf of natural gas) and are discussed in further detail on page 87.

Revisions of previous estimates

2017:  Total revisions of previous estimates amounted to a net increase of 106 million boe, of which revisions of proved developed reserves amounted to a net increase of 126 million boe (41 million barrels of crude oil, 44 million barrels of natural gas liquids and 243 million mcf of natural gas).  Revisions to proved developed reserves from the Bakken amounted to 85 million boe with approximately 55% resulting from improved reservoir performance, and the remaining 45% resulting from higher prices and an improved cost structure.  The Gulf of Mexico and Utica had positive revisions to proved developed reserves totaling 16 million boe due to improved reservoir performance, while higher crude oil prices resulted in revisions to proved developed reserves of 15 million boe in Denmark and Utica.  Revisions associated with proved undeveloped reserves are discussed in further detail on page 87.

2016:  Total revisions of previous estimates amounted to a net increase of 74 million boe, of which net positive revisions increased proved reserves by 103 million boe (54 million barrels of crude oil, 5 million barrels of natural gas liquids and 265 million mcf of natural gas) and negative revisions associated with lower crude oil prices reduced proved reserves by 29 million boe (23 million barrels of crude oil, 1 million barrels of natural gas liquids and 30 million mcf of natural gas).  Total revisions of proved developed reserves amounted to a net increase of 41 million boe (5 million barrels decrease of crude oil, 7 million barrels increase of natural gas liquids and 235 million mcf increase of natural gas) reflecting improved expected recoveries in the Bakken shale play in North Dakota, completion of incremental development activities at the North Malay Basin, partially offset by negative revisions at the Valhall Field offshore Norway due to changes in estimated recoveries of natural gas liquids and natural gas, and negative price revisions mostly related to crude oil reserves.  Revisions associated with proved undeveloped reserves are discussed in further detail on page 87.

2015: Total revisions of previous estimates were a net decrease of 280 million boe.  Negative revisions associated with lower crude oil prices reduced proved reserves at December 31, 2015 by 234 million boe (158 million barrels of crude oil, 26 million barrels of natural gas liquids and 299 million mcf of natural gas), including 220 million boe (147 million barrels of crude oil, 22 million barrels of natural gas liquids and 303 million mcf of natural gas) associated with proved undeveloped reserves.  Other net negative revisions were 46 million boe, which also primarily related to proved undeveloped reserves that are discussed in further detail on page 87.

Sales of minerals in place (‘Asset sales’)

2017:  Assets sales primarily include our interests in Norway, Equatorial Guinea, and our enhanced oil recovery assets in the Permian Basin.

 

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Proved Undeveloped Reserves

 

Following are the Corporation’s proved undeveloped reserves:

Extensions, discoveries and other additions (‘Additions’)

2017:  In the United States, additions from the Bakken shale play in North Dakota were 180 million boe, of which approximately 70% resulted from higher crude oil prices that increased the percentage of proved undeveloped wells in our planned five-year drilling program compared to the prior year.  The remaining 30% of Bakken additions reflect the expected improved recovery in future wells from changes in well completion design and reservoir performance.  Additions from the Stampede Field in the Gulf of Mexico were 21 million boe, due to completion of further development activities.  At the Stabroek Block, offshore Guyana, additions of 45 million boe were recognized for project sanction of the first phase of the Liza Field development.  Other international additions were primarily at North Malay Basin due to higher prices.

2016:  In the United States, additions were at the Utica shale play in Ohio as result of changes in well design that improved both well economics and recoverability, and at the Bakken shale play in North Dakota due to drilling plans.  In Europe, additions were primarily from a 20-year extension to the license for the South Arne Field, offshore Denmark, which extends expiry to 2047.

2015:  In the United States, we recognized additions of 29 million boe in the Bakken shale play and 13 million boe related to the Tubular Bells and Penn State Fields in the Gulf of Mexico based on drilling plans for new wells.

Revisions of previous estimates

2017:  Total negative reserve revisions of 20 million boe, primarily relate to changes in drilling plans in Libya and lower reserves at certain fields in the Gulf of Mexico and Denmark.  

2016:  Total positive reserve revisions were 33 million boe.  Technical revisions increased reserves by 44 million boe and were primarily from an improved well design at the Bakken shale play in North Dakota, which was partially offset by negative revisions at the Valhall Field offshore Norway due to changes in expected recoveries of natural gas liquids and natural gas.  Negative revisions resulting from lower commodity prices totaled 11 million boe and were primarily in the Bakken shale play.

2015:  Total negative reserve revisions were 292 million boe.  Negative revisions resulting from lower commodity prices totaled 220 million boe, and were primarily in the Bakken shale play (127 million boe), the North Malay Basin offshore Malaysia (34 million boe), the Valhall Field offshore Norway (30 million boe) and the Stampede project in the Gulf of Mexico (21 million boe).  Other negative revisions included 48 million boe related to planned drilling dates of certain Bakken wells moving beyond 2020 due to reprioritization of the drilling schedule, and 26 million boe at the Valhall Field offshore Norway primarily related to drilling schedule changes.

 

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Transfers to proved developed reserves (‘Transfers’)

2017:  Transfers from proved undeveloped reserves included 24 million boe in the Bakken shale play and 8 million boe at the Penn State Field in the Gulf of Mexico associated with drilling activity.

2016:  Transfers from proved undeveloped reserves included 21 million boe in the Bakken shale play and 13 million boe at the Tubular Bells and Conger Fields in the Gulf of Mexico associated with drilling activity.

2015:  Transfers from proved undeveloped reserves included 43 million boe in the Bakken shale play and 11 million boe at the Valhall Field offshore Norway associated with drilling activity.  Transfers of 61 million boe related to Block A-18 in the Gulf of Thailand primarily resulted from additional development and drilling activity.

In 2017, capital expenditures of $527 million were incurred to convert proved undeveloped reserves to proved developed reserves (2016: $589 million; 2015: $1,931 million).

Projects that have proved reserves, which have been classified as undeveloped for a period in excess of five years, total 14 million boe, or 1% of total proved reserves at December 31, 2017.  Most of the proved undeveloped reserves in excess of five years relate to Libya.

Production Sharing Contracts

The Corporation’s proved reserves include crude oil and natural gas reserves relating to long‑term agreements with governments or authorities in which the Corporation has the legal right to produce or has a revenue interest in the production.  Proved reserves from these production sharing contracts for each of the three years ended December 31, 2017 are presented separately below, as well as volumes produced and received during 2017, 2016 and 2015 from these production sharing contracts.

Standardized Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows Relating to Proved Oil and Gas Reserves

Future net cash flows are calculated by applying prescribed oil and gas selling prices used in determining year‑end reserve estimates (adjusted for price changes provided by contractual arrangements) to estimated future production of proved oil and gas reserves, less estimated future development and production costs, which are based on year‑end costs and existing economic assumptions.  Future income tax expenses are computed by applying the appropriate year‑end statutory tax rates to the pre‑tax net cash flows, as well as including the effect of tax deductions and tax credits and allowances relating to the Corporation’s proved oil and gas reserves.  Future net cash flows are discounted at the prescribed rate of 10%.

The prices used for the discounted future net cash flows in 2017 were $51.19 per barrel for WTI (2016: $42.68; 2015: $50.13) and $54.87 per barrel for Brent (2016: $44.45; 2015: $55.10).  New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) natural gas prices used were $3.03 per mcf in 2017 (2016: $2.54; 2015: $2.63) and do not include the effects of commodity hedges.  Selling prices have in the past, and can in the future, fluctuate significantly.  As a result, selling prices used in the disclosure of future net cash flows may not be representative of future selling prices.  In addition, the discounted future net cash flow estimates do not include exploration expenses, interest expense or corporate general and administrative expenses.  The amount of tax deductions, credits, and allowances relating to the Corporation’s proved oil and gas reserves can change year to year due to factors including changes in proved reserves, variances in actual pre-tax cash flows from forecasted pre-tax cash flows in historical periods, and the impact to year-end carryforward tax attributes associated with deducting in the Corporation’s income tax returns exploration expenses, interest expense, and corporate general and administrative expenses

 

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that are not contemplated in the standardized measure computations.  The future net cash flow estimates could be materially different if other assumptions were used.

 

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Changes in Standardized Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows Relating to Proved Oil and Gas Reserves

 

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HESS CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

Following are quarterly results of operations:

The results of operations for the periods reported herein should not be considered as indicative of future operating results.

 

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Item 9.  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

Item 9A.  Controls and Procedures

Based upon their evaluation of the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of December 31, 2017, John B. Hess, Chief Executive Officer, and John P. Rielly, Chief Financial Officer, concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2017.

There was no change in internal controls over financial reporting identified in the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15 in the quarter ended December 31, 2017 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, internal controls over financial reporting.

Management’s report on internal control over financial reporting and the attestation report on the Corporation’s internal controls over financial reporting are included in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this annual report on Form 10‑K.

Item 9B.  Other Information

None.

 

PART III

Item 10.  Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Information relating to Directors is incorporated herein by reference to “Election of Directors” from the Corporation’s definitive proxy statement for the 2018 annual meeting of stockholders.

The Corporation has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applicable to the Corporation’s directors, officers (including the Corporation’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer) and employees.  The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available on the Corporation’s website.  In the event that we amend or waive any of the provisions of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that relate to any element of the code of ethics definition enumerated in Item 406(b) of Regulation S‑K, we intend to disclose the same on the Corporation’s website at www.hess.com.

Information relating to the audit committee is incorporated herein by reference to “Election of Directors” from the Corporation’s definitive proxy statement for the 2018 annual meeting of stockholders.

 

 

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Executive Officers of the Corporation

The following table presents information as of February 21, 2018 regarding executive officers of the Corporation:

 

 

 

 

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Except for Ms. Lowery-Yilmaz and Mr. Slentz, each of the above officers has been employed by the Corporation or its affiliates in various managerial and executive capacities for more than five years.  Prior to joining the Corporation, Ms. Lowery-Yilmaz served in senior executive positions in Exploration and Production at BP plc and Mr. Slentz served in senior executive positions in human resources at Peabody Energy and its affiliates.

Item 11.  Executive Compensation

Information relating to executive compensation is incorporated herein by reference to “Election of Directors—Executive Compensation and Other Information,” from the Corporation’s definitive proxy statement for the 2018 annual meeting of stockholders.

Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

Information pertaining to security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management is incorporated herein by reference to “Election of Directors—Ownership of Voting Securities by Certain Beneficial Owners” and “Election of Directors—Ownership of Equity Securities by Management” from the Corporation’s definitive proxy statement for the 2018 annual meeting of stockholders.

See Equity Compensation Plans in Item 5. Market for the Registrant’s Common Stock, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities for information pertaining to securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans.

Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

Information relating to this item is incorporated herein by reference to “Election of Directors” from the Corporation’s definitive proxy statement for the 2018 annual meeting of stockholders.

Item 14.  Principal Accounting Fees and Services

Information relating to this item is incorporated by reference to “Ratification of Selection of Independent Auditors” from the Corporation’s definitive proxy statement for the 2018 annual meeting of stockholders.

 

 

 

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PART IV

 

Item 15.  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

(a) 1. and 2.  Financial statements and financial statement schedules

The financial statements filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10‑K are listed in the accompanying index to financial statements and schedules in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

3.  Exhibits

The exhibits required to be filed pursuant to Item 15(b) of Form 10‑K are listed in the Exhibit Index filed herewith, which Exhibit Index is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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* These exhibits relate to executive compensation plans and arrangements.

 

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on the 21st day of February 2018.

 

 

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POWER OF ATTORNEY

Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints John B. Hess, Timothy B. Goodell and John P. Rielly or any of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to Annual Report on Form 10-K, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and to perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as he might or would do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

 

 

 

 

100

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Schedule II

HESS CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

For the Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015

 

 

101

Exhibit 21

 

 

HESS CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT

 

 

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Each of the foregoing subsidiaries conducts business under the name listed.  The above list does not include 38 subsidiary holding companies (14 domestic and 24 non-U.S.) that would otherwise be reported except that they are ultimately 100% owned by the Registrant and, as their line of business, fulfill similar roles to those holding companies separately identified in the above list.  In addition, we have excluded subsidiaries associated with divested assets, discontinued activities and those that when considered in the aggregate as a single subsidiary, would not constitute a significant subsidiary.

 

Exhibit 23(1)

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following Registration Statements:          

 

of our reports dated February 21, 2018, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of Hess Corporation and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Hess Corporation included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) of Hess Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2017.

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 23(2)

DEGOLYER AND MACNAUGHTON

5001 SPRING VALLEY ROAD

SUITE 800 EAST

DALLAS, TEXAS 75244

February 21, 2018

Hess Corporation

1185 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10036

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We hereby consent to the use of the name DeGolyer and MacNaughton, to references to DeGolyer and MacNaughton as an independent petroleum engineering consulting firm, to references to our third-party letter report dated February 7, 2018, containing our opinion on the estimated proved reserves, as of December 31, 2017 attributable to certain properties that Hess Corporation has represented that it owns (our “Report”) under the heading “Proved Oil and Gas Reserves-Reserves Audit,” and to the inclusion of our Report as an exhibit in Hess Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.  We also consent to all such references, including under the heading “Experts,” and to the incorporation by reference of our Report in the Registration Statements filed by Hess Corporation on  Form S-3 (No. 333‑202-379) and Form S-8 (No. 333-43569, No. 333-94851, No. 333-115844, No. 333-150992, No. 333-167076, No. 333-181704, and No. 333-204929).

 

Texas Registered Engineering Firm F-716

 

Exhibit 31(1)

I, John B. Hess, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Hess Corporation;

2. Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s Board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: February 21, 2018

 

Exhibit 31(2)

I, John P. Rielly, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Hess Corporation;

2. Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s Board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: February 21, 2018

 

Exhibit 32(1)

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Annual Report of Hess Corporation (the Corporation) on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2017 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the Report), I, John B. Hess, Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Corporation.

 

Date: February 21, 2018

 

Exhibit 32(2)

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Annual Report of Hess Corporation (the Corporation) on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2017 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the Report), I, John P. Rielly, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Corporation.

 

Date: February 21, 2018

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DeGolyer and MacNaughton

 

Exhibit 99.1

DeGolyer and MacNaughton

5001 Spring Valley Road

Suite 800 East

Dallas, Texas 75244

February 7, 2018

Board of Directors

Hess Corporation

1185 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10036

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Pursuant to your request, we have conducted a reserves audit of the net proved oil, condensate, natural gas liquids (NGL), and gas reserves, as of December 31, 2017, of certain selected properties in which Hess Corporation (Hess) has represented that it owns an interest to determine the reasonableness of Hess’ estimates. This evaluation was completed on February 7, 2018. Hess has represented to us that these properties account for approximately 79.9 percent on a net equivalent barrel basis of Hess’ net proved reserves, as of December 31, 2017, and that the net proved reserves estimates have been prepared in accordance with the reserves definitions of Rules 4-10(a) (1)-(32) of Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of the United States. We have reviewed information provided to us by Hess that it represents to be Hess’ estimates of the net reserves, as of December 31, 2017, for the same properties as those which we evaluated. This report was prepared in accordance with guidelines specified in Item 1202 (a)(8) of Regulation S-K and is to be used for inclusion in certain SEC filings by Hess.

Reserves estimates included herein are expressed as net reserves as represented by Hess. Gross reserves are defined as the total estimated petroleum to be produced from these properties after December 31, 2017 Net reserves are defined as that portion of the gross reserves attributable to the interests owned by Hess after deducting all interests owned by others.

Certain properties in which Hess has an interest are subject to the terms of various profit sharing agreements. The terms of these agreements generally allow for working interest participants to be reimbursed for portions of capital costs and operating expenses and to share in the profits. The reimbursements and profit proceeds are converted to a barrel of oil equivalent or cubic foot of gas equivalent by dividing by product prices to determine the “entitlement reserves.” These entitlement reserves are equivalent in principle to net reserves and are used to calculate an equivalent net share, termed an “entitlement interest.” In this report, Hess net reserves or interest for certain properties subject to these agreements is the entitlement based on Hess’ working interest.

Estimates of oil, condensate, NGL, and gas reserves should be regarded only as estimates. Such estimates are based upon information that is currently available and may change as further production history and additional information become available. Such estimates are also subject to the uncertainties inherent in the application of judgmental factors in interpreting such information.

Data used in this audit were obtained from reviews with Hess personnel, from Hess files, from records on file with the appropriate regulatory agencies, and from public sources. Additionally, this information includes data supplied by IHS Global Inc.; Copyright 2017 IHS Global Inc. In the preparation of this report we have relied, without independent verification, upon such information furnished by Hess with respect to property interests, production from such properties, costs of operation and development, prices for production, agreements relating to current and future operations and sale of production, and various other information and data that were accepted as represented. A field examination of the properties was not considered necessary for the purposes of this report. In our opinion, the adequacy and quality of the data provided to us were sufficient for us to conduct this reserves audit.

 

 

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Hess has represented that its estimated net proved reserves attributable to the reviewed properties were based on the definition of proved reserves of the SEC. The Hess net proved reserves attributable to these properties, as of December 31, 2017, and which represent approximately 79.9 percent of total Hess net reserves on a net equivalent barrel basis, are summarized as follows, expressed in millions of barrels (MMbbl), billions of cubic feet (Bcf), and millions of barrels of oil equivalent (MMboe):

Notes:

Opinion

The assumptions, data, methods, and procedures used by DeGolyer and MacNaughton to conduct the reserves audit are appropriate for the purposes of this report.

In our opinion, the information relating to estimated proved reserves of oil, condensate, natural gas liquids, and gas contained in this report has been prepared in accordance with Paragraphs 932-235-50-4, 932-235-50-6, 932-235-50-7, and 932‑235-50-9 of the Accounting Standards Update 932-235-50, Extractive Industries – Oil and Gas (Topic 932): Oil and Gas Reserve Estimation and Disclosures (January 2010) of the Financial Accounting Standards Board and Rules 4–10(a) (1)–(32) of Regulation S–X and Rules 302(b), 1201, and 1202(a) (1), (2), (3), (4), (8) of Regulation S–K of the Securities and Exchange Commission; provided, however, that estimates of proved developed and proved undeveloped reserves are not presented at the beginning of the year.

To the extent the above-enumerated rules, regulations, and statements require determinations of an accounting or legal nature, we, as engineers, are necessarily unable to express an opinion as to whether the above-described information is in accordance therewith or sufficient therefor.

In comparing the detailed net proved reserves estimates by field prepared by us and by Hess, we have found differences, both positive and negative, resulting in an aggregate difference of 4 percent when compared on the basis of net equivalent barrels. It is our opinion that the total net proved reserves estimates prepared by Hess, as of December 31, 2017, on the properties reviewed by us and referred to in the preceding table, when compared on the basis of net equivalent barrels, do not differ materially from those prepared by us.

Methodology and Procedures

Estimates of reserves were prepared by the use of appropriate geologic, petroleum engineering, and evaluation principles and techniques that are in accordance with practices generally recognized by the petroleum industry as presented in the publication of the Society of Petroleum Engineers entitled “Standards Pertaining to the Estimating and Auditing of Oil and Gas Reserves Information (Revision as of February 19, 2007).” The method or combination of methods used in the analysis of each reservoir was tempered by experience with similar reservoirs, stage of development, quality and completeness of basic data, and production history.

Based on the current stage of field development, production performance, the development plans provided by Hess, and the analyses of areas offsetting existing wells with test or production data, reserves were classified as proved.

When applicable, the volumetric method was used to estimate the original oil in place (OOIP) and the original gas in place (OGIP). Structure and isopach maps were constructed to estimate reservoir volume. Electrical logs, radioactivity logs, core analyses, and other available data were used to prepare these maps as well as to estimate representative values for

 

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porosity and water saturation. When adequate data were available and when circumstances justified, material balance and other engineering methods were used to estimate OOIP or OGIP.

Estimates of ultimate recovery were obtained after applying recovery factors to OOIP or OGIP. These recovery factors were based on consideration of the type of energy inherent in the reservoirs, analyses of the fluid properties, the structural positions of the properties, and the production histories. When applicable, material balance and other engineering methods were used to estimate recovery factors. An analysis of reservoir performance, including production rate, reservoir pressure, and gas-oil ratio behavior, was used in the estimation of reserves.

For depletion-type reservoirs or those whose performance disclosed a reliable decline in producing-rate trends or other diagnostic characteristics, reserves were estimated by the application of appropriate decline curves or other performance relationships. In the analyses of production‑decline curves, reserves were estimated only to the limits of economic production based on existing economic conditions or to the limit of the production licenses, whichever occurred earlier.

Petroleum reserves estimated by Hess and by us are classified as proved and are judged to be economically producible in future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions and assuming continuation of current regulatory practices using conventional production methods and equipment. Reserves were estimated only to the limit of economic production rates under existing economic and operating conditions using prices and costs consistent with the effective date of this report, including consideration of changes in existing prices provided only by contractual arrangements but not including escalations based upon future conditions.

Gas quantities herein are expressed as marketable gas at the pressure and temperature base of the state or area in which the property is located. Marketable gas is defined as the total gas produced from the reservoir after reduction for shrinkage resulting from field separation; processing, including removal of nonhydrocarbon gas to meet pipeline specifications; and flare and other losses but not from fuel usage. Fuel gas is included as reserves. Oil and condensate reserves estimated herein are those to be recovered by conventional lease separation. Oil, NGL, and condensate reserves estimates included in this report are expressed in terms of barrels representing 42 United States gallons per barrel. NGL reserves are those attributed to the leasehold interests according to processing agreements and involve low-temperature separation. For reporting purposes, oil and condensate reserves have been estimated separately and are presented herein as a summed quantity.

Definition of Reserves

Petroleum reserves estimated by Hess included in this report are classified as proved. Only proved reserves have been evaluated for this report. Reserves classifications used by Hess in this report are in accordance with the reserves definitions of Rules 4–10(a) (1)–(32) of Regulation S–X of the SEC. Reserves are judged to be economically producible in future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions and assuming continuation of current regulatory practices using conventional production methods and equipment. In the analyses of production-decline curves, reserves were estimated only to the limit of economic rates of production under existing economic and operating conditions using prices and costs consistent with the effective date of this report, including consideration of changes in existing prices provided only by contractual arrangements but not including escalations based upon future conditions. The petroleum reserves are classified as follows:

Proved oil and gas reserves – Proved oil and gas reserves are those quantities of oil and gas, which, by analysis of geoscience and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be economically producible—from a given date forward, from known reservoirs, and under existing economic conditions, operating methods, and government regulations—prior to the time at which contracts providing the right to operate expire, unless evidence indicates that renewal is reasonably certain, regardless of whether deterministic or probabilistic methods are used for the estimation. The project to extract the hydrocarbons must have commenced or the operator must be reasonably certain that it will commence the project within a reasonable time.

(i)The area of the reservoir considered as proved includes: (A) The area identified by drilling and limited by fluid contacts, if any; and, (B) Adjacent undrilled portions of the reservoir that can, with reasonable certainty, be judged to be continuous with it and to contain economically producible oil or gas on the basis of available geoscience and engineering data.

(ii)In the absence of data on fluid contacts, proved quantities in a reservoir are limited by the lowest known hydrocarbons (LKH) as seen in a well penetration unless geoscience, engineering, or performance data and reliable technology establishes a lower contact with reasonable certainty.

 

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(iii)Where direct observation from well penetrations has defined a highest known oil (HKO) elevation and the potential exists for an associated gas cap, proved oil reserves may be assigned in the structurally higher portions of the reservoir only if geoscience, engineering, or performance data and reliable technology establish the higher contact with reasonable certainty.

(iv)Reserves which can be produced economically through application of improved recovery techniques (including, but not limited to, fluid injection) are included in the proved classification when:

(A)Successful testing by a pilot project in an area of the reservoir with properties no more favorable than in the reservoir as a whole, the operation of an installed program in the reservoir or an analogous reservoir, or other evidence using reliable technology establishes the reasonable certainty of the engineering analysis on which the project or program was based; and, (B) The project has been approved for development by all necessary parties and entities, including governmental entities.

(v)Existing economic and operating conditions include prices and costs at which economic producibility from a reservoir is to be determined. The price shall be the average price during the 12‑month period prior to the ending date of the period covered by the report, determined as an unweighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month price for each month within such period, unless prices are defined by contractual arrangements, excluding escalations based upon future conditions.

Developed oil and gas reserves – Developed oil and gas reserves are reserves of any category that can be expected to be recovered:

(i)Through existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods or in which the cost of the required equipment is relatively minor compared to the cost of a new well; and

(ii)Through installed extraction equipment and infrastructure operational at the time of the reserves estimate if the extraction is by means not involving a well.

Undeveloped oil and gas reserves – Undeveloped oil and gas reserves are reserves of any category that are expected to be recovered from new wells on undrilled acreage, or from existing wells where a relatively major expenditure is required for recompletion.

(i)Reserves on undrilled acreage shall be limited to those directly offsetting development spacing areas that are reasonably certain of production when drilled, unless evidence using reliable technology exists that establishes reasonable certainty of economic producibility at greater distances.

(ii)Undrilled locations can be classified as having undeveloped reserves only if a development plan has been adopted indicating that they are scheduled to be drilled within five years, unless the specific circumstances justify a longer time.

(iii)Under no circumstances shall estimates for undeveloped reserves be attributable to any acreage for which an application of fluid injection or other improved recovery technique is contemplated, unless such techniques have been proved effective by actual projects in the same reservoir or an analogous reservoir, as defined in Rule 4-10(a)(2) of Regulation S-X, or by other evidence using reliable technology establishing reasonable certainty.

Primary Economic Assumptions

The following economic assumptions were used for estimating existing and future prices and costs, expressed in United States dollars (U.S.$):

Oil and Condensate Prices

Hess has represented that the oil and condensate prices were based on a 12-month average price (reference price), calculated as the unweighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month price for each month within the 12-month period prior to the end of the reporting period, unless prices are defined by contractual arrangements. The 12-month average reference prices used were U.S.$51.19 per barrel for West Texas Intermediate and U.S.$54.87 per barrel for Brent. Hess supplied appropriate differentials by field to the relevant reference prices and the prices were held constant thereafter. The volume-weighted average price for the fields evaluated was U.S.$48.55 per barrel.

 

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NGL Prices

Hess has represented that the NGL prices were based on a 12‑month average price, calculated as the unweighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month price for each month within the 12-month period prior to the end of the reporting period, unless prices are defined by contractual arrangements. These prices were held constant over the lives of the properties. The volume-weighted average NGL price for the fields evaluated was U.S.$6.32 per barrel.

Gas Prices

Hess has represented that gas prices were based on reference prices, calculated as the unweighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month price for each month within the 12-month period prior to the end of the reporting period, unless prices are defined by contractual arrangements. The 12-month average reference price for NYMEX was U.S.$3.03 per thousand cubic feet and the UK International Petroleum Exchange reference price was U.S.$5.85 per million British thermal units. The gas prices were adjusted for each property using differentials to the NYMEX or UK International Petroleum Exchange reference prices furnished by Hess and held constant thereafter. The volume-weighted average gas price for the fields evaluated was U.S.$2.07 per thousand cubic feet.

Operating Expenses, Capital Costs, and Abandonment Costs

Operating expenses, capital costs, and abandonment costs based on information provided by Hess, were used in estimating future costs required to operate the properties. Future operating expenses, capital costs, and abandonment costs were considered, as appropriate in determining the economic viability of the developed non- producing and undeveloped reserves.

Possible Effects of Regulations

Hess’ oil and gas reserves have been estimated assuming the continuation of the current regulatory environment. Foreign oil-producing countries, including members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), may impose production quotas which limit the supply of oil that can be produced. Generally, these production quotas affect the timing of production, rather than the total volume of oil or gas reserves estimated.

Changes in the regulatory environment by host governments may impact the operating environment and oil and gas reserves estimates of industry participants. Such regulatory changes could include increased mandatory government participation in producing contracts, changes in royalty terms, cancellation or amendment of contract rights, or expropriation or nationalization of property. While the oil and gas industry is subject to regulatory changes that could affect an industry participant’s ability to recover its reserves, neither we nor Hess are aware of any such governmental actions which restrict the recovery of the December 31, 2017, estimated reserves.

DeGolyer and MacNaughton is an independent petroleum engineering consulting firm that has been providing petroleum consulting services throughout the world since 1936. DeGolyer and MacNaughton does not have any financial interest, including stock ownership, in Hess. Our fees were not contingent on the results of our evaluation. This letter report has been prepared at the request of Hess. DeGolyer and MacNaughton has used all data, procedures, assumptions and methods that it considers necessary to prepare this report.

 

 

 

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CERTIFICATE of QUALIFICATION

I, Thomas C. Pence, Petroleum Engineer with DeGolyer and MacNaughton, 5001 Spring Valley Road, Suite 800 East, Dallas, Texas, 75244 U.S.A., hereby certify:

1.That I am a Senior Vice President of DeGolyer and MacNaughton, which company did prepare the letter report dated February 7, 2018, on the proved reserves audit of certain properties attributable to Hess Corporation, and that I, as Senior Vice President, was responsible for the preparation of this letter report.

2.That I attended Texas A&M University, and that I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering in 1982; that I am a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Texas; that I am a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers and that I have in excess of 35 years of experience in oil and gas reservoir studies and reserves evaluations.