estimate of fair value can be made. If a tangible long-lived asset with an existing asset retirement obligation is acquired, a liability for that obligation shall be recognized at the asset’s acquisition date as if that obligation were incurred on that date. In addition, a liability for the fair value of a conditional asset retirement obligation is recorded if the fair value of the liability can be reasonably estimated. We capitalize the asset retirement costs by increasing the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset by the same amount as the liability. We record increases in the discounted abandonment liability resulting from the passage of time in depletion and depreciation in the consolidated statement of operations. Estimating the future restoration and removal costs requires management to make estimates and judgments because most of the removal obligations are many years in the future and contracts and regulations often have vague descriptions of what constitutes removal. Additionally, asset removal technologies and costs are constantly changing, as are regulatory, political, environmental, safety and public relations considerations. Inherent in the present value calculation are numerous assumptions and judgments including the ultimate settlement amounts, inflation factors, credit adjusted discount rates, timing of settlement and changes in the legal, regulatory, environmental and political environments. To the extent future revisions to these assumptions impact the present value of the existing asset retirement obligations, a corresponding adjustment is made to the oil and gas property balance. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets. We review our long-lived assets for impairment when changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. ASC 360— Property, Plant and Equipment requires an impairment loss to be recognized if the carrying amount of a long-lived asset is not recoverable and exceeds its fair value. The carrying amount of a long-lived asset is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. That assessment shall be based on the carrying amount of the asset at the date it is tested for recoverability, whether in use or under development. An impairment loss shall be measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of a long-lived asset exceeds its fair value. Assets to be disposed of and assets not expected to provide any future service potential to us are recorded at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. We believe the assumptions used in our undiscounted cash flow analysis to test for impairment are appropriate and result in a reasonable estimate of future cash flows. The undiscounted cash flows from the analysis exceeded the carrying amount of our long-lived assets. The most significant assumptions are the pricing and production estimates used in undiscounted cash flow analysis. Where unproved reserves exist, an appropriately risk-adjusted amount of these reserves may be included in the evaluation. In order to evaluate the sensitivity of the assumptions, we assumed a hypothetical reduction in our production profile and lower pricing during the early years which still showed no impairment. If we experience further declines in oil pricing, increases in our estimated future expenditures or a decrease in our estimated production profile our long-lived assets could be at risk for impairment. Consolidations / Equity Method of Accounting. The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of our wholly-owned subsidiaries. They also include Kosmos’ share of the undivided interest in certain assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Investments in corporate joint ventures, which we exercise significant influence over, are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Equity method investments are integral to our operations. The other parties, who also have an equity interest in these companies, are independent third parties. Kosmos does not invest in these companies in order to remove liabilities from its balance sheet. New Accounting Pronouncements See ‘‘Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 2—Accounting Policies’’ for a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements. 100