Revenue | Note 4—Revenue On January 1, 2018, we adopted Topic 606 using the modified retrospective method applied to those contracts that were not completed as of January 1, 2018. In adopting Topic 606, we changed our accounting policy for revenue recognition. Results for periods prior to January 1, 2018 are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with our historic accounting under ASC Topic 605. The cumulative impact of adopting Topic 606 was immaterial and did not require an adjustment to retained earnings. However, we reclassified prior year balance sheet and cash flow amounts to conform to current year presentation. We generate revenue under a range of contracting types, including fixed-price, unit-price, time and material, and cost reimbursable plus fee contracts. A substantial portion of our revenue is derived from contracts that are fixed-price or unit-price and is recognized over time as work is completed because of the continuous transfer of control to the customer (typically using an input measure such as costs incurred to date relative to total estimated costs at completion to measure progress). For time and material and cost reimbursable plus fee contracts, revenue is recognized primarily on an input basis, based on contract costs incurred as defined within the respective contracts. Costs to obtain contracts are generally not significant and are expensed in the period incurred. We evaluate whether two or more contracts should be combined and accounted for as one single performance obligation and whether a single contract should be accounted for as more than one performance obligation. Topic 606 defines a performance obligation as a contractual promise to transfer a distinct good or service to a customer. A contract’s transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied. Our evaluation requires significant judgment and the decision to combine a group of contracts or separate a contract into multiple performance obligations could change the amount of revenue and profit recorded in a given period. The majority of our contracts have a single performance obligation, as the promise to transfer the individual goods or services is not separately identifiable from other promises in the contract and, therefore, is not distinct. However, occasionally we have contracts with multiple performance obligations. For contracts with multiple performance obligations, we allocate the contract’s transaction price to each performance obligation using the observable standalone selling price, if available, or alternatively our best estimate of the standalone selling price of each distinct performance obligation in the contract. The primary method used to estimate standalone selling price is the expected cost plus a margin approach for each performance obligation. As of September 30, 2018, we had $1.73 billion of remaining performance obligations. We expect to recognize approximately 81% of our remaining performance obligations as revenue during the next four quarters and substantially all of the remaining balance by the year-end 2020. Accounting for long-term contracts involves the use of various techniques to estimate total transaction price and costs. For long-term contracts, transaction price, estimated cost at completion and total costs incurred to date are used to calculate revenue earned. Unforeseen events and circumstances can alter the estimate of the costs and potential profit associated with a particular contract. Total estimated costs, and thus contract revenue and income, can be impacted by changes in productivity, scheduling, the unit cost of labor, subcontracts, materials and equipment. Additionally, external factors such as weather, client needs, client delays in providing permits and approvals, labor availability, governmental regulation and politics may affect the progress of a project’s completion, and thus the timing of revenue recognition. To the extent that original cost estimates are modified, estimated costs to complete increase, delivery schedules are delayed, or progress under a contract is otherwise impeded, cash flow, revenue recognition and profitability from a particular contract may be adversely affected. The nature of our contracts gives rise to several types of variable consideration, including contract modifications (change orders and claims), liquidated damages, volume discounts, performance bonuses, incentive fees, and other terms that can either increase or decrease the transaction price. We estimate variable consideration as the most likely amount to which we expect to be entitled. We include estimated amounts in the transaction price to the extent we believe we have an enforceable right, and it is probable that a significant reversal of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur. Our estimates of variable consideration and the determination of whether to include estimated amounts in the transaction price are based largely on an assessment of our anticipated performance and all information (historical, current and forecasted) that is reasonably available to us at this time. Contract modifications result from changes in contract specifications or requirements. We consider unapproved change orders to be contract modifications for which customers have not agreed to both scope and price. We consider claims to be contract modifications for which we seek, or will seek, to collect from customers, or others, for customer-caused changes in contract specifications or design, or other customer-related causes of unanticipated additional contract costs on which there is no agreement with customers. Claims can also be caused by non-customer-caused changes, such as rain or other weather delays. Costs associated with contract modifications are included in the estimated costs to complete the contracts and are treated as project costs when incurred. In most instances, contract modifications are for goods or services that are not distinct, and, therefore, are accounted for as part of the existing contract. The effect of a contract modification on the transaction price, and our measure of progress for the performance obligation to which it relates, is recognized as an adjustment to revenue on a cumulative catch-up basis. In some cases, settlement of contract modifications may not occur until after completion of work under the contract. As a significant change in one or more of these estimates could affect the profitability of our contracts, we review and update our contract-related estimates regularly. We recognize adjustments in estimated profit on contracts under the cumulative catch-up method. Under this method, the cumulative impact of the profit adjustment is recognized in the period the adjustment is identified. Revenue and profit in future periods of contract performance are recognized using the adjusted estimate. In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, revenue recognized from performance obligations satisfied in previous periods was $2.5 million and $27.5 million, respectively. If at any time the estimate of contract profitability indicates an anticipated loss on a contract, the projected loss is recognized in full, including any previously recognized profit, in the period it is identified and recognized as an “accrued loss provision” which is included in “Contract liabilities” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. For contract revenue recognized over time, the accrued loss provision is adjusted so that the gross profit for the contract remains zero in future periods. At September 30, 2018, we had approximately $90.4 million of unapproved contract modifications included in the aggregate transaction prices. These contract modifications were in the process of being negotiated in the normal course of business. Approximately $82.9 million of the contract modifications had been recognized as revenue on a cumulative catch-up basis through September 30, 2018. In all forms of contracts, we estimate the collectability of contract amounts at the same time that we estimate project costs. If we anticipate that there may be issues associated with the collectability of the full amount calculated as the transaction price, we may reduce the amount recognized as revenue to reflect the uncertainty associated with realization of the eventual cash collection. For example, when a cost reimbursable project exceeds the client’s expected budget amount, the client frequently requests an adjustment to the final amount. Similarly, some utility clients reserve the right to audit costs for significant periods after performance of the work. The timing of when we bill our customers is generally dependent upon agreed-upon contractual terms, milestone billings based on the completion of certain phases of the work, or when services are provided. Sometimes, billing occurs subsequent to revenue recognition, resulting in unbilled revenue, which is a contract asset. Also, we sometimes receive advances or deposits from our customers before revenue is recognized, resulting in deferred revenue, which is a contract liability. The caption “Contract assets” in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets represents the following: · unbilled revenue (formerly costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings), which arise when revenue has been recorded but the amount will not be billed until a later date; · retainage amounts for the portion of the contract price earned by us for work performed, but held for payment by the customer as a form of security until we reach certain construction milestones; and · contract materials for certain job specific materials not yet installed, which are valued using the specific identification method relating the cost incurred to a specific project. Contract assets consist of the following (in thousands): September 30, December 31, 2018 2017 Unbilled revenue $ 262,510 $ 160,092 Retention receivable 91,473 66,586 Contract materials (not yet installed) 28,509 39,224 $ 382,492 $ 265,902 Contract assets increased by $116.6 million compared to December 31, 2017 due primarily to a $30.8 million increase from the acquisition of Willbros in the second quarter of 2018 and higher unbilled revenue from our legacy operations. The caption “Contract liabilities” in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets represents deferred revenue (formerly billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings) on billings in excess of contract revenue recognized to date, and the accrued loss provision. Contract liabilities consist of the following (in thousands): September 30, December 31, 2018 2017 Deferred revenue $ 200,865 $ 159,310 Accrued loss provision 18,367 10,067 $ 219,232 $ 169,377 Contract liabilities increased by $49.9 million compared to December 31, 2017 primarily due to a $61.0 million increase from the acquisition of Willbros in the second quarter of 2018, partially offset by lower deferred revenue from our legacy operations. Revenue recognized for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, that was included in the contract liability balance at December 31, 2017 was approximately $145.4 million. The following tables present our revenue disaggregated into various categories. Master Service Agreements (“MSA”) and Non-MSA revenue was as follows (in thousands): For the three months ended September 30, 2018 Segment MSA Non-MSA Total Power $ 48,004 $ 133,818 $ 181,822 Pipeline 14,986 198,087 213,073 Utilities 227,192 42,460 269,652 Transmission 100,227 21,299 121,526 Civil — 122,829 122,829 Total $ 390,409 $ 518,493 $ 908,902 For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 Segment MSA Non-MSA Total Power $ 90,074 $ 425,304 $ 515,378 Pipeline 34,479 326,782 361,261 Utilities 515,295 149,919 665,214 Transmission 135,744 28,236 163,980 Civil — 355,975 355,975 Total $ 775,592 $ 1,286,216 $ 2,061,808 Revenue by contract type was as follows (in thousands): For the three months ended September 30, 2018 Segment Fixed-price Unit-price Cost reimbursable (1) Total Power $ 85,561 $ 10,371 $ 85,890 $ 181,822 Pipeline 41,772 7,924 163,377 213,073 Utilities 42,763 144,611 82,278 269,652 Transmission 20,259 84,646 16,621 121,526 Civil 21,380 90,418 11,031 122,829 Total $ 211,735 $ 337,970 $ 359,197 $ 908,902 (1) Includes time and material and cost reimbursable plus fee contracts. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 Segment Fixed-price Unit-price Cost reimbursable (1) Total Power $ 310,599 $ 36,015 $ 168,764 $ 515,378 Pipeline 82,394 58,247 220,620 361,261 Utilities 148,126 339,225 177,863 665,214 Transmission 28,259 110,103 25,618 163,980 Civil 45,803 269,630 40,542 355,975 Total $ 615,181 $ 813,220 $ 633,407 $ 2,061,808 (1) Includes time and material and cost reimbursable plus fee contracts. Each of these contract types has a different risk profile. Typically, we assume more risk with fixed-price contracts. Unforeseen events and circumstances can alter the estimate of the costs and potential profit associated with a particular contract. However, these types of contracts offer additional profits when we complete the work for less cost than originally estimated. Unit-price and cost reimbursable contracts generally subject us to lower risk. Accordingly, the associated fees are usually lower than fees earned on fixed-price contracts. Under these contracts, our profit may vary if actual costs vary significantly from the negotiated rates. |