Table:
| December 31, 2019 | Gross Cost | Accumulated Depreciation | Net Cost |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Land | 78 | — | 78 |
| Buildings | 905 | (505) | 400 |
| Facilities & leasehold improvements | 3,193 | (2,762) | 431 |
| Machinery and equipment | 15,336 | (12,790) | 2,546 |
| Computer and R&D equipment | 382 | (335) | 47 |
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | 266 | (60) | 206 |
| Other tangible assets | 110 | (93) | 17 |
| Construction in progress | 282 | — | 282 |
| Total | 20,552 | (16,545) | 4,007 |
| December 31, 2018 | Gross Cost | Accumulated Depreciation | Net Cost |
| Land | 79 | — | 79 |
| Buildings | 902 | (487) | 415 |
| Facilities & leasehold improvements | 3,170 | (2,748) | 422 |
| Machinery and equipment | 14,882 | (12,582) | 2,300 |
| Computer and R&D equipment | 381 | (334) | 47 |
| Other tangible assets | 123 | (93) | 30 |
| Construction in progress | 202 | — | 202 |
| Total | 19,739 | (16,244) | 3,495 |
Paragraphs:
The line “Construction in progress” in the table above includes property, plant and equipment under construction and equipment under qualification before operating.
On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted the new guidance on lease accounting and lease right-of-use assets are included in plant, property and equipment. The impact of the adoption of this new guidance is further described in Note 11.
The depreciation charge was $785 million, $727 million and $592 million in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
As described in Note 7, the acquisition of Norstel resulted in the recognition of property, plant and equipment of $11 million.
Question:
What were the depreciation charge for 2019, 2018 and 2017?
Answer: The depreciation charge was $785 million, $727 million and $592 million in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.