1. Accounting Conventions
The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost
convention on accrual basis in accordance with Generally Accepted
Accounting Principles (GAAP), applying the Successful Efforts Method as
per the Guidance Note on Accounting for Oil and Gas Producing
Activities issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
and Accounting Standards issued under the Companies (Accounting
Standards) Rules, 2006 and provisions of the Companies Act, 1956.
2. Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements requires estimates and
assumptions which affect the reported amount of assets, liabilities
revenues and expenses of the reporting period. The difference between
the actual results and estimates are recognized in the period in which
the results are known or materialized.
3. Government Grants
Government grants for acquisition of fixed assets are initially treated
as Capital Reserve and are subsequently recognized as income in the
Profit & Loss Account on a systematic basis over the useful life of the
assets in the proportion in which depreciation on those assets is
charged..
4. Fixed Assets
4.1 Fixed assets are stated at historical cost less accumulated
depreciation and impairment. Fixed assets received as donations/gifts
are capitalised at assessed values with corresponding credit taken to
Capital Reserve.
4.2 All costs relating to acquisition of fixed assets till the time of
bringing the assets to working condition for intending use are
capitalised.
5. Intangible Assets
Costs incurred on intangible assets, resulting in future economic
benefits are capitalized as intangible assets.
6. Exploration, Development and Production Costs
6.1 Acquisition Cost
Acquisition cost of an oil and gas property in exploration/development
stage is taken to acquisition cost under the respective category. Such
costs are capitalized by transferring to Producing Property when it is
ready to commence commercial production. In case of abandonment, such
costs are expensed. Acquisition cost of a producing oil and gas
property is capitalized as Producing Property.
6.2 Survey Cost
Cost of Survey and prospecting activities conducted in the search of
oil and gas are expensed in the year in which these are incurred.
6.3 Exploratory/ Development Wells in Progress
6.3.1 All acquisition costs, exploration costs involved in drilling and
equipping exploratory and appraisal wells, cost of drilling exploratory
type stratigraphic test wells are initially capitalised as Exploratory
Wells in Progress till the time these are either transferred to
Producing Properties on completion as per policy no. 6 4.1 or expensed
in the year when determined to be dry or of no further use, as the case
may be.
6.3.2 All wells under “Exploratory Wells in Progress” which are more
than two years old from the date of completion of drilling are charged
to Profit and Loss Account except those wells where it could be
reasonably demonstrated that the well has proved reserves and the
development of the field in which the wells are located has been
planned.
6.3.3 All costs relating to Development Wells are initially capitalized
as Development Wells in Progress and transferred to Producing
Properties on completion as per policy no. 6.4.
6.4 Producing Properties
6.4.1 Producing Properties are created in respect of an area/field
having proved developed oil and gas reserves, when the well in the
area/field is ready to commence commercial production.
6.4.2 Cost of temporary occupation of land, successful exploratory
wells, all development wells, depreciation on related equipment,
facilities and estimated future abandonment costs are capitalised and
reflected as Producing Properties.
6.5 Depletion of Producing Properties
Producing Properties are depleted using the “Unit of Production
Method”. The rate of depletion is computed with reference to an area
covered by individual lease/licence/asset/amortization base by
considering the proved developed reserves and related capital costs
incurred including estimated future abandonment costs. In case of
acquisition, cost of Producing Properties is depleted by considering
the proved reserves. These reserves are estimated annually by the
Reserve Estimates Committee of the Company, which follows the
International Reservoir Engineering Procedures.
6.6 Production Costs
Production costs include pre-well head and post well head expenses
including depreciation and applicable operating costs of support
equipment and facilities.
6.7 Side tracking
6.7.1 The cost of abandoned portion of side tracked exploratory wells
is charged to Profit and Loss Account as dry wells.
6.7.2 The cost of abandoned portion of side tracked development wells
is considered as part of cost of development wells.
6.7.3 The cost of sidetracking in respect of existing producing wells
is capitalized if it increases the proved developed reserves otherwise,
charged to Profit and Loss Account as workover expenditure.
7. Impairment
Producing Properties, Development Wells in Progress (DWIP) and Fixed
Assets (including Capital Works in Progress) of a “Cash Generating
Unit” (CGU) are reviewed for impairment at each Balance Sheet date. In
case, events and circumstances indicate any impairment recoverable
amount of these assets is determined. An impairment loss is recognized,
whenever the carrying amount of such assets exceeds the recoverable
amount. The recoverable amount is its ''value in use'' or ''net selling
price'' (if determinable) whichever is higher. In assessing value in
use, the estimated future cash flows from the use of assets and from
its disposal at the end of its useful life are discounted to their
present value at appropriate rate.
An impairment loss is reversed if there is change in the recoverable
amount and such loss either no longer exists or has decreased.
Impairment loss / reversal thereof is adjusted to the carrying value of
the respective assets, which in case of CGU, is allocated to its assets
on a pro-rata basis. Subsequent to impairment depreciation is provided
on the revised carrying value of the assets over the remaining useful
life.
8. Abandonment Cost
8.1 The full eventual estimated liability towards costs relating to
dismantling, abandoning and restoring offshore well sites and allied
facilities are recognized in respective assets when the well is
complete / facilities are installed.
8.2 The full eventual estimated liability towards costs relating to
dismantling, abandoning and restoring onshore well sites are recognized
when the well is complete. Cost relating to dismantling abandoning and
restoring its allied facilities are accounted for in the year in which
such costs are incurred as the salvage value is expected to take care
of the abandonment costs. The abandonment cost on dry well is charged
to Profit and Loss Account.
Liability for abandonment cost is updated based on the technical
assessment available at current costs with the Company.
9. Joint Ventures
The Company has Joint Ventures in the nature of Production Sharing
Contracts (PSC) with the Government of India and various bodies
corporate for exploration, development and production activities.
9.1 The income, expenditure, assets and liabilities of the Jointly
Controlled Assets are merged on line by line basis according to the
participating interest with the similar items in the Financial
Statements of the Company and adjusted for depreciation, depletion,
survey, dry wells, abandonment, impairment and sidetracking in
accordance with the accounting policies of the Company.
9.2 Consideration for the right to participate in operations
recoverable from new Joint Venture Partners are :
1. Reduced from respective capitalized cost wherever applicable.
2. Reduced from current expenditure to the extent it relates to
current year.
3. Balance is considered as miscellaneous receipts.
9 .3 The hydrocarbon reserves in such areas are taken in proportion to
the participating interest of the Company.
10. Investments
Long-term investments are valued at cost. Provision is made for any
diminution, other than temporary, in the value of such investments.
Current Investments are valued at lower of cost and fair value.
11. Inventories
11.1 Finished Goods (other than Sulphur) and stock in pipelines/tanks
and carbon credits are valued at Cost or net realisable value whichever
is lower. Cost of Finished Goods is determined on absorption costing
method. Sulphur is valued at net realisable value. The value of
inventories includes excise duty, royalty (wherever applicable) but
excludes cess.
11.2 Crude oil in unfinished condition in flow lines upto Group
Gathering Stations/Platforms and Natural Gas in Pipelines are not
valued.
11.3 Inventory of stores and spare parts is valued at Weighted Average
Cost or net realisable value whichever is lower. Provisions are made
for obsolete and non moving inventories.
11.4 Unserviceable items, when determined, are valued at estimated net
realizable value.
12. Revenue Recognition
12.1 Revenue from sale of products is recognized on transfer of custody
to customers.
12.2 Sale of crude oil and gas (net of levies) produced from
Exploratory Wells in Progress is deducted from expenditure on such
wells.
12.3 Sales are inclusive of all statutory levies except Value Added Tax
(VAT). Any retrospective revision in prices is accounted for i the year
of such revision.
12.4 Revenue in respect of the following is recognized when there is
reasonable certainty regarding ultimate collection:
a. Short-lifted quantity of gas.
b. Gas pipeline transportation charges and statutory duties thereon.
c. Reimbursable subsidies and grants.
d. Interest on delayed realization from customers.
e. Liquidated damages from contractors/suppliers.
13. Depreciation and Amortisation
13.1 Depreciation on fixed assets is provided for under the written
down value method in accordance with the rates specified in Schedule
XIV to the Companies Act, 1956.
13.2 Depreciation on additions/deletions during the year is provided on
pro rata basis with reference to the date of additions/deletions except
items of Plant and Machinery used in wells with 100% rate of
depreciation and low value items not exceeding Rs.5000/- which are
fully depreciated at the time of addition.
13.3 Depreciation on subsequent expenditure on fixed assets arising on
account of capital improvement or other factors, is provided for
prospectively.
Depreciation on refurbished/revamped assets which are capitalized
separately is provided for over the reassessed useful life at rates
which are not less than the rates specified in Schedule XIV to the
Companies Act, 1956.
13.4 Depreciation on fixed assets (including support equipment and
facilities) used for exploration, drilling activities and on related
equipment and facilities is initially capitalised as part of
exploration cost, development cost or producing properties and
expensed/depleted as stated in policy 6 above.
13.5 Leasehold land is amortized over the lease period except perpetual
leases.
13.6 Intangible assets are amortized over the useful life not exceeding
five years from the date of capitalization.
14. Foreign Exchange Transactions
Transactions in foreign currencies are accounted for at the exchange
rate prevailing on the date of the transaction. Foreign currency
monetary assets and liabilities at the year end are translated using
mean exchange rate prevailing on the last day of the financial year The
loss or gain thereon and also the exchange differences on settlement of
the foreign currency transactions during the year are recognized as
income or expense and adjusted to the profit and loss account except
where such liabilities and /or transactions relate to fixed assets/
projects and these were incurred/ entered into before 1.4 2004 in which
case, these are adjusted to the cost of respective fixed assets.
15. Employee Benefits
15.1 All short term employee benefits are recognized at their
undiscounted amount in the accounting period in which they are
incurred.
15.2 Employee Benefit under defined contribution plans comprising
provident fund etc. is recognized based on the undiscounted obligations
of the company to contribute to the plan. The same is paid to a fund
administered through a separate trust.
15.3 Employee benefits under defined benefit plans comprising of
gratuity, leave encashment, compensated absences, post retirement
medical benefits and other terminal benefits are recognized based on
the present value of defined benefit obligation, which is computed on
the basis of actuarial valuation using the Projected Unit Credit
Method. Actuarial Liability in excess of respective plan assets is
recognized during the year. Actuarial gains and losses in respect of
post employment and other long-term benefits are recognized during the
year.
15.4 Liability for gratuity as per actuarial valuation is funded with a
separate trust.
16. Voluntary Retirement Scheme
Expenditure on Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) is charged to Profit
and Loss Account when incurred.
17. General Administrative Expenses
General administrative expenses which are identifiable to Assets,
Basins & Services are allocated to activities and the balance are
charged to Profit and Loss Account. Such expenses at Headquarters are
charged to Profit and Loss Account.
18. Insurance claims
The company accounts for insurance claims as under :-
18.1 In case of total loss of asset by transferring, either the
carrying cost of the relevant asset or insurance value (subject to
deductibles), whichever is lower under the head “Claims
Recoverable-Insurance” on intimation to Insurer. In case insurance
claim is less than carrying cost the difference is charged to Profit
and Loss Account.
18.2 In case of partial or other losses, expenditure incurred/payments
made to put such assets back into use, to meet third party or other
liabilities (less policy deductibles) if any, are accounted for as
“Claims Recoverable-Insurance”. Insurance Policy deductibles are
expensed in the year the corresponding expenditure is incurred.
18.3 As and when claims are finally received from insurer, the
difference, if any, between Claims Recoverable-Insurance and claims
received is adjusted to Profit and Loss Account.
19. Research Expenditure
Revenue expenses on Research are charged to Profit and Loss Account,
when incurred.
20. Taxes on Income
Provision for current tax is made as per the provisions of the Income
Tax Act, 1961. Deferred Tax Liability / Asset resulting from ''timing
difference'' between book and taxable profit is accounted for
considering the tax rate and laws that have been enacted or
substantively enacted as on the Balance Sheet date. Deferred Tax Asset
is recognized and carried forward only to the extent that there is
virtual certainty that the asset will be realized in future.
21. Borrowing Costs
Borrowing Cost specifically identified to the acquisition or
construction of qualifying assets is capitalized as part of such
assets. A qualifying asset is one that necessarily takes substantial
period of time to get ready for intended use. All other borrowing costs
are charged to Profit and Loss Account.
22. Rig Days Costs
Rig movement costs are booked to the next location planned for
drilling. Abnormal Rig days'' costs are considered as unallocable and
charged to Profit and Loss Account.
23. Deferred Revenue Expenditure
Dry docking charges of Rigs/ Multipurpose Supply Vessels (MSVs), Geo
Technical Vessels (GTVs), Well Stimulation Vessels, Offshore Supply
Vessels (OSVs) Rig/equipment mobilization expenses and other related
expenditure are considered as deferred expenditure and amortized over
the period of use not exceeding five years.
24. Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets
Provisions involving substantial degree of estimation in measurement
are recognized when there is a present obligation as a result of past
events and it is probable that there will be an outflow of resources.
Contingent Assets are neither recognized nor disclosed in the financial
statements. Contingent liabilities are disclosed by way of notes to
accounts.
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