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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Organization

The Company is an energy and energy services provider offering physical delivery and related services for both electricity and natural gas primarily in the south central United States. The Company conducts these activities through three business segments:  (i) electric utility, (ii) natural gas transportation and storage and (iii) natural gas gathering and processing.  All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The electric utility segment generates, transmits, distributes and sells electric energy in Oklahoma and western ArkansasIts operations are conducted through OG&E and are subject to regulation by the OCC, the APSC and the FERC.  OG&E was incorporated in 1902 under the laws of the Oklahoma Territory. OG&E is the largest electric utility in Oklahoma and its franchised service territory includes the Fort Smith, Arkansas area. OG&E sold its retail natural gas business in 1928 and is no longer engaged in the natural gas distribution business.

Enogex is a provider of integrated natural gas midstream services.  Enogex is engaged in the business of gathering, processing, transporting and storing natural gas.  Most of Enogex's natural gas gathering, processing, transportation and storage assets are strategically located in the Arkoma and Anadarko basins of Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle. During the third quarter of 2012, the operations and activities of EER were fully integrated with those of Enogex through the creation of a new commodity management organization. This new organization is intended to facilitate the execution of Enogex's strategy through an enhanced focus on asset optimization and active management of its growing natural gas, NGLs and condensate positions. The operations of EER, including asset management activities, have been included in the natural gas transportation and storage segment and have been restated for all prior periods presented.  Enogex's operations are now organized into two business segments: (i) natural gas transportation and storage and (ii) natural gas gathering and processing. At December 31, 2012, OGE Energy indirectly owns a 79.9 percent membership interest in Enogex Holdings, which in turn owns all of the membership interests in Enogex LLC, a Delaware single-member limited liability company (see Note 4).  The Company consolidates Enogex Holdings in its Consolidated Financial Statements as OGE Energy has a controlling financial interest over the operations of Enogex Holdings.  Also, Enogex LLC holds a 50 percent ownership interest in Atoka.  The Company consolidates Atoka in its Consolidated Financial Statements as Enogex acts as the managing member of Atoka and has control over the operations of Atoka.

OGE Energy charges operating costs to its subsidiaries based on several factors. Operating costs directly related to specific subsidiaries are assigned to those subsidiaries.  Where more than one subsidiary benefits from certain expenditures, the costs are shared between those subsidiaries receiving the benefits.  Operating costs incurred for the benefit of all subsidiaries are allocated among the subsidiaries, either as overhead based primarily on labor costs or using the "Distrigas" method.  The Distrigas method is a three-factor formula that uses an equal weighting of payroll, net operating revenues and gross property, plant and equipment.  OGE Energy adopted the Distrigas method in January 1996 as a result of a recommendation by the OCC Staff.  OGE Energy believes this method provides a reasonable basis for allocating common expenses.
Basis of Presentation

In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary to fairly present the consolidated financial position of the Company at December 31, 2012 and 2011 and the results of its operations and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, have been included and are of a normal recurring nature except as otherwise disclosed.
Accounting Records

The accounting records of OG&E are maintained in accordance with the Uniform System of Accounts prescribed by the FERC and adopted by the OCC and the APSC.  Additionally, OG&E, as a regulated utility, is subject to accounting principles for certain types of rate-regulated activities, which provide that certain actual or anticipated costs that would otherwise be charged to expense can be deferred as regulatory assets, based on the expected recovery from customers in future rates.  Likewise, certain actual or anticipated credits that would otherwise reduce expense can be deferred as regulatory liabilities, based on the expected flowback to customers in future rates.  Management's expected recovery of deferred costs and flowback of deferred credits generally results from specific decisions by regulators granting such ratemaking treatment.

OG&E records certain actual or anticipated costs and obligations as regulatory assets or liabilities if it is probable, based on regulatory orders or other available evidence, that the cost or obligation will be included in amounts allowable for recovery or refund in future rates.

The following table is a summary of OG&E's regulatory assets and liabilities at:
December 31 (In millions)
2012
2011
Regulatory Assets
 
 
Current
 
 
Crossroads wind farm rider under recovery (A)
$
14.9

$
2.5

Oklahoma demand program rider under recovery (A)
9.2

8.1

Fuel clause under recoveries

1.8

Other (A)
2.9

3.6

Total Current Regulatory Assets
$
27.0

$
16.0

Non-Current
 
 
Benefit obligations regulatory asset
$
370.6

$
359.2

Income taxes recoverable from customers, net
54.7

54.0

Smart Grid
42.8

37.2

Unamortized loss on reacquired debt
13.0

14.2

Deferred storm expenses
12.7

23.8

Deferred pension expenses
4.5

9.1

Other
12.3

10.4

Total Non-Current Regulatory Assets
$
510.6

$
507.9

Regulatory Liabilities
 
 
Current
 
 
Fuel clause over recoveries
$
109.2

$
7.7

Smart Grid rider over recovery (B)
24.1

24.3

Other (B)
7.8

13.7

Total Current Regulatory Liabilities
$
141.1

$
45.7

Non-Current
 
 
Accrued removal obligations, net
$
218.2

$
208.2

Deferred pension credits
17.7


Pension tracker
9.2

22.5

Total Non-Current Regulatory Liabilities
$
245.1

$
230.7

(A)
Included in Other Current Assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(B)
Included in Other Current Liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

OG&E recovers a return on the capital expenditures along with operation and maintenance expense and depreciation expense related to the Crossroads wind farm through a rider established by the OCC. OG&E began recovery in the fourth quarter of 2011 and believes the rider will continue until new rates are implemented in OG&E's next general rate case.

OG&E recovers program costs related to the Demand and Energy Efficiency Program. An extension of the demand program rider was approved in December 2012, which allows for the recovery of demand program costs, lost revenues associated with any achieved energy, demand savings and performance based incentives and the recovery of costs associated with research and development investments through December 2015.

Fuel clause under recoveries are generated from under recoveries from OG&E's customers when OG&E's cost of fuel exceeds the amount billed to its customers.  Fuel clause over recoveries are generated from over recoveries from OG&E's customers when the amount billed to its customers exceeds OG&E's cost of fuel.  OG&E's fuel recovery clauses are designed to smooth the impact of fuel price volatility on customers' bills.  As a result, OG&E under recovers fuel costs in periods of rising fuel prices above the baseline charge for fuel and over recovers fuel costs when prices decline below the baseline charge for fuel. Provisions in the fuel clauses are intended to allow OG&E to amortize under and over recovery balances.

The benefit obligations regulatory asset is comprised of expenses recorded which are probable of future recovery and that have not yet been recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost, including net loss, prior service cost and net transition obligation. These expenses were allowed to be recorded as a regulatory asset as OG&E had historically recovered and currently recovers pension and postretirement benefit plan expense in its electric rates and there was no negative evidence that the existing regulatory treatment would change. If, in the future, the regulatory bodies indicate a change in policy related to the recovery of pension and postretirement benefit plan expenses, this could cause the benefit obligations regulatory asset balance to be reclassified to Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.

The following table is a summary of the components of the benefit obligations regulatory asset at:
December 31 (In millions)
2012
2011
Pension Plan and Restoration of Retirement Income Plan:
 
 
Net loss
$
278.6

$
266.3

Prior service cost
4.5

7.0

Postretirement plans:
 
 
Net loss
134.6

144.2

Prior service cost
(47.1
)
(60.8
)
Net transition obligation

2.5

Total
$
370.6

$
359.2


 
The following amounts in the benefit obligations regulatory asset at December 31, 2012 are expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost in 2013
(In millions)
 
Pension Plan and Restoration of Retirement Income Plan:
 
Net loss
$
19.8

Prior service cost
2.0

Postretirement plans:
 
Net loss
18.1

Prior service cost
(13.7
)
Total
$
26.2



Income taxes recoverable from customers, which represents income tax benefits previously used to reduce OG&E's revenues, are treated as regulatory assets and liabilities and are being amortized over the estimated remaining life of the assets to which they relate.  These amounts are being recovered in rates as the temporary differences that generated the income tax benefit turn around.  The income tax related regulatory assets and liabilities are netted in Income Taxes Recoverable from Customers, Net in the regulatory assets and liabilities table above.

OG&E recovers the cost of system-wide deployment of smart grid technology and implementing the smart grid pilot program, the incremental costs for web portal access, education and providing home energy reports and stranded costs associated with OG&E's existing meters. The costs recoverable from Oklahoma customers for system-wide deployment of smart grid technology and implementing the smart grid pilot program were capped at $366.4 million (inclusive of the U.S. Department of Energy grant award amount) subject to an offset for any recovery of those costs from Arkansas customers and are currently being recovered through a rider which will remain in effect until the smart grid project costs are included in base rates in OG&E's next general rate case. This project was completed in late 2012 and the smart grid project costs did not exceed $366.4 million. The incremental costs for web portal access, education and home energy reports are capped at $6.9 million and will be recovered in base rates in OG&E's next general rate case. The stranded costs associated with OG&E's existing meters, which have been replaced by smart meters, were accumulated during the smart grid deployment and recovery of the stranded costs will be included in future rate cases. OG&E began recovering the estimated capital costs of $14 million and associated operation and maintenance costs for deployment of smart grid technology, along with incremental costs for web portal access and education of $0.8 million, through a rider beginning with the first billing cycle in January 2013 through December 2013.

OG&E defers the Oklahoma storm-related operation and maintenance expenses in excess of $2.7 million and reserves for any Oklahoma storm-related operation and maintenance expenses less than $2.7 million. OG&E will recover the deferred amounts over a five-year period ending in August 2017.
Unamortized loss on reacquired debt is comprised of unamortized debt issuance costs related to the early retirement of OG&E's long-term debt.  These amounts are being amortized over the term of the long-term debt which replaced the previous long-term debt.  The unamortized loss on reacquired debt is not included in OG&E's rate base and does not otherwise earn a rate of return.

OG&E recovers specific amounts of pension and postretirement medical costs in rates approved in its Oklahoma rate cases. In accordance with approved orders, OG&E defers the difference between actual pension and postretirement medical expenses and the amount approved in its last Oklahoma rate case as a regulatory asset or regulatory liability. These amounts have been recorded in Pension tracker regulatory liability in the regulatory assets and liabilities table above.

In July 2009, OG&E was allowed to recover previously deferred pension costs over a four-year period ending in August 2013.  OG&E also recovers its 2006 and 2007 pension settlement costs in Arkansas, which are being amortized over a 10-year period ending in January 2020.  Both the Oklahoma and Arkansas pension plan expenses are reflected in Deferred Pension expenses asset in the regulatory assets and liabilities table above.

In September 2011, OG&E was allowed to include postretirement medical expenses in its pension tracker. In August 2012, OG&E was allowed to recover pension and postretirement medical expenses over a two-year period ending July 2014 which is included in Deferred Pension credits liability in the regulatory assets and liabilities table above.

Accrued removal obligations represent asset retirement costs previously recovered from ratepayers for other than legal obligations.
Management continuously monitors the future recoverability of regulatory assets.  When in management's judgment future recovery becomes impaired, the amount of the regulatory asset is adjusted, as appropriate.  If OG&E were required to discontinue the application of accounting principles for certain types of rate-regulated activities for some or all of its operations, it could result in writing off the related regulatory assets, which could have significant financial effects.
Use of Estimates
 
In preparing the Consolidated Financial Statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and contingent liabilities at the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Changes to these assumptions and estimates could have a material effect on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.  However, the Company believes it has taken reasonable, but conservative, positions where assumptions and estimates are used in order to minimize the negative financial impact to the Company that could result if actual results vary from the assumptions and estimates.  In management's opinion, the areas of the Company where the most significant judgment is exercised for all Company segments includes the determination of Pension Plan assumptions, impairment estimates of long-lived assets (including intangible assets), income taxes, contingency reserves, asset retirement obligations, fair value and cash flow hedges and the allowance for uncollectible accounts receivable. For the electric utility segment, the most significant judgment is also exercised in the valuation of regulatory assets and liabilities and unbilled revenues. For the natural gas transportation and storage segment and the natural gas gathering and processing segment, the most significant judgment is also exercised in the valuation of operating revenues, natural gas purchases, purchase and sale contracts, assets and depreciable lives of property, plant and equipment, amortization methodologies related to intangible assets and impairment assessments of goodwill.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
For purposes of the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.  These investments are carried at cost, which approximates fair value.
Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts Receivable
 
For OG&E, customer balances are generally written off if not collected within six months after the final billing date. The allowance for uncollectible accounts receivable for OG&E is calculated by multiplying the last six months of electric revenue by the provision rate.  The provision rate is based on a 12-month historical average of actual balances written off.  To the extent the historical collection rates are not representative of future collections, there could be an effect on the amount of uncollectible expense recognized.  Also, a portion of the uncollectible provision related to fuel is being recovered through the fuel adjustment clause.  The allowance for uncollectible accounts receivable for Enogex is calculated based on outstanding accounts receivable balances over 180 days old.  In addition, other outstanding accounts receivable balances less than 180 days old are reserved on a case-by-case basis when Enogex believes the collection of specific amounts owed is unlikely to occur.  The allowance for uncollectible accounts receivable was $2.6 million and $3.8 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
 
For OG&E, new business customers are required to provide a security deposit in the form of cash, bond or irrevocable letter of credit that is refunded when the account is closed.  New residential customers, whose outside credit scores indicate risk, are required to provide a security deposit that is refunded based on customer protection rules defined by the OCC and the APSC.  The payment behavior of all existing customers is continuously monitored and, if the payment behavior indicates sufficient risk within the meaning of the applicable utility regulation, customers will be required to provide a security deposit.

For Enogex, credit risk is the risk of financial loss to Enogex if counterparties fail to perform their contractual obligations.  Enogex maintains credit policies with regard to its counterparties that management believes minimize overall credit risk.  These policies include the evaluation of a potential counterparty's financial position (including credit rating, if available), collateral requirements under certain circumstances, the use of standardized agreements which provide for the netting of cash flows associated with a single counterparty and the monitoring of the financial position of existing counterparties on an ongoing basis.
Fuel Inventories
 
OG&E
 
Fuel inventories for the generation of electricity consist of coal, natural gas and oil.  OG&E uses the weighted-average cost method of accounting for inventory that is physically added to or withdrawn from storage or stockpiles.  The amount of fuel inventory was $76.8 million and $76.9 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
 
Enogex
 
Natural gas inventory is held by Enogex, through its transportation and storage business, to provide operational support for its pipeline deliveries and to manage its leased storage capacity. In an effort to mitigate market price exposures, Enogex may enter into contracts or hedging instruments to protect the cash flows associated with its inventory. All natural gas inventory held by Enogex is valued using moving average cost and is recorded at the lower of cost or market. As part of its asset management activity, Enogex injects and withdraws natural gas into and out of inventory under the terms of its storage capacity contracts.  During the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, Enogex recorded write-downs to market value related to natural gas storage inventory of $5.5 million, $4.8 million and $0.3 million, respectively.  The amount of Enogex's natural gas inventory was $16.5 million and $23.7 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The cost of gas associated with sales of natural gas storage inventory is presented in Cost of Goods Sold on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Gas Imbalances
 
OG&E

Gas imbalances occur when the actual amounts of natural gas delivered from or received by OG&E differ from the amounts scheduled to be delivered or received.  OG&E values all imbalances at an average of current market indices applicable to OG&E's operations, not to exceed net realizable value.

Enogex

Gas imbalances occur when the actual amounts of natural gas delivered from or received by Enogex's pipeline system differ from the amounts scheduled to be delivered or received.  Imbalances are due to or due from shippers and operators and can be settled in cash or made up in-kind depending on contractual terms.  Enogex values all imbalances at an average of current market indices applicable to Enogex's operations, not to exceed net realizable value.
Property, Plant and Equipment
 
OG&E
 
All property, plant and equipment is recorded at cost.  Newly constructed plant is added to plant balances at cost which includes contracted services, direct labor, materials, overhead, transportation costs and the allowance for funds used during construction.  Replacements of units of property are capitalized as plant.  For assets that belong to a common plant account, the replaced plant is removed from plant balances and the cost of such property is charged to Accumulated Depreciation.  For assets that do not belong to a common plant account, the replaced plant is removed from plant balances with the related accumulated depreciation and the remaining balance net of any salvage proceeds is recorded as a loss in the Consolidated Statements of Income as Other Expense.  Repair and replacement of minor items of property are included in the Consolidated Statements of Income as Other Operation and Maintenance Expense.
 
The table below presents OG&E's ownership interest in the jointly-owned McClain Plant and the jointly-owned Redbud Plant, and, as disclosed below, only OG&E's ownership interest is reflected in the property, plant and equipment and accumulated depreciation balances in these tables.  The owners of the remaining interests in the McClain Plant and the Redbud Plant are responsible for providing their own financing of capital expenditures.  Also, only OG&E's proportionate interests of any direct expenses of the McClain Plant and the Redbud Plant such as fuel, maintenance expense and other operating expenses are included in the applicable financial statement captions in the Consolidated Statement of Income.
December 31, 2012 (In millions)
Percentage Ownership
Total Property, Plant and Equipment
Accumulated Depreciation
Net Property, Plant and Equipment
McClain Plant
77
%
$
182.1

$
56.3

$
125.8

Redbud Plant (A)
51
%
$
458.5

$
69.5

$
389.0


(A)
This amount includes a plant acquisition adjustment of $148.3 million and accumulated amortization of $23.3 million.

Enogex
 
All property, plant and equipment is recorded at cost.  Newly constructed plant is added to plant balances at cost which includes contracted services, direct labor, materials, overhead, transportation costs and capitalized interest.  Replacements of units of property are capitalized as plant. For assets that belong to a common plant account, the replaced plant is removed from plant balances and charged to Accumulated Depreciation.  For assets that do not belong to a common plant account, the replaced plant is removed from plant balances with the related accumulated depreciation and the remaining balance net of any salvage proceeds is recorded as a loss in the Consolidated Statements of Income as Other Expense.  Repair and removal costs are included in the Consolidated Statements of Income as Other Operation and Maintenance Expense.
 
Enogex Cox City Plant Fire

On December 8, 2010, a fire occurred at Enogex's Cox City natural gas processing plant destroying major components of one of the four processing trains, representing 120 MMcf/d of the total 180 MMcf/d of capacity, at that facility. The damaged train was replaced and the facility was returned to full service in September 2011. The total cost necessary to return the facility back to full service was $29.6 million. In the fourth quarter of 2011, Enogex received a partial insurance reimbursement of $7.4 million and recognized a gain of $3.0 million on insurance proceeds. In March 2012, Enogex reached a settlement agreement with its insurers in this matter. As a result of the settlement agreement, Enogex received additional reimbursements of $7.6 million and recognized a gain of $7.5 million on insurance proceeds in 2012.

In a period in which the Company has an event that results in the recognition of a material gain or loss on an event that is covered by insurance proceeds, the Company records an impairment loss for the book value of the damaged asset and an offsetting gain for insurance proceeds if recovery of the loss is considered probable. To the extent proceeds from an insurance settlement exceed recognized losses, the Company records a gain on insurance proceeds in earnings as the receipts of proceeds are determined to be probable.

OGE Energy Consolidated
 
The Company's property, plant and equipment and related accumulated depreciation are divided into the following major classes at: 
December 31, 2012 (In millions)
Total Property, Plant and Equipment    
Accumulated Depreciation
Net Property, Plant and Equipment
OGE Energy (holding company)
 
 
 
Property, plant and equipment
$
142.1

$
103.2

$
38.9

OGE Energy property, plant and equipment
142.1

103.2

38.9

OG&E
 
 
 
Distribution assets
3,222.7

969.6

2,253.1

Electric generation assets (A)
3,446.6

1,242.4

2,204.2

Transmission assets (B)
1,712.6

359.8

1,352.8

Intangible plant
50.2

25.0

25.2

Other property and equipment
317.6

108.8

208.8

OG&E property, plant and equipment
8,749.7

2,705.6

6,044.1

Enogex
 
 
 
Natural gas transportation and storage assets
988.6

292.7

695.9

Natural gas gathering and processing assets
2,011.5

445.6

1,565.9

Enogex property, plant and equipment
3,000.1

738.3

2,261.8

Total property, plant and equipment
$
11,891.9

$
3,547.1

$
8,344.8

(A)
This amount includes a plant acquisition adjustment of $148.3 million and accumulated amortization of $23.3 million.
(B)
This amount includes a plant acquisition adjustment of $3.3 million and accumulated amortization of $0.3 million.
December 31, 2011 (In millions)
Total Property, Plant and Equipment    
Accumulated Depreciation
Net Property, Plant and Equipment
OGE Energy (holding company)
 
 
 
Property, plant and equipment
$
124.6

$
90.6

$
34.0

OGE Energy property, plant and equipment
124.6

90.6

34.0

OG&E
 
 
 
Distribution assets
2,981.3

920.3

2,061.0

Electric generation assets (A)
3,360.6

1,215.8

2,144.8

Transmission assets (B)
1,464.2

339.6

1,124.6

Intangible plant
43.2

20.3

22.9

Other property and equipment
293.9

96.3

197.6

OG&E property, plant and equipment
8,143.2

2,592.3

5,550.9

Enogex
 
 
 
Natural gas transportation and storage assets
967.0

277.0

690.0

Natural gas gathering and processing assets
1,580.1

381.0

1,199.1

Enogex property, plant and equipment
2,547.1

658.0

1,889.1

Total property, plant and equipment
$
10,814.9

$
3,340.9

$
7,474.0


(A)
This amount includes a plant acquisition adjustment of $148.3 million and accumulated amortization of $17.9 million.
(B)
This amount includes a plant acquisition adjustment of $3.3 million and accumulated amortization of $0.2 million.


The following table summarizes the Company's unamortized computer software costs.
December 31 (In millions)
2012
2011
OGE Energy (holding company)
$
11.6

$
14.0

OG&E
17.6

6.7

Enogex
3.9

4.4

Total
$
33.1

$
25.1



The following table summarized the Company's amortization expense for computer software costs.
Year ended December 31 (In millions)
2012
2011
2010
OGE Energy (holding company)
$
6.8

$
6.4

$
5.3

OG&E
4.2

1.8

2.6

Enogex
3.1

1.0

2.2

Total
$
14.1

$
9.2

$
10.1


Intangible Assets

Enogex

The following table below summarizes Enogex's intangible assets and related accumulated amortization at:
(In millions)
Total Intangible Assets
Accumulated Amortization
Net Intangible Assets
December 31, 2012
 
 
 
Customer Contract / Acreage Dedication
$
141.9

$
14.5

$
127.4

 
 
 
 
December 31, 2011
 
 
 
Customer Contract / Acreage Dedication
$
141.9

$
4.9

$
137.0



In 2012, 2011 and 2010, amortization expense for intangible assets was $9.6 million, $2.1 million and $0.6 million, respectively, including amortization of certain customer-based intangible assets associated with the acquisition from Cordillera in November 2011, which is included in gross margin for financial reporting purposes.

The following table summarizes Enogex's expected amortization of intangible assets for each of the next five years.
(In millions)
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
Expected amortization of intangible assets
$
9.5

$
9.5

$
9.5

$
9.5

$
9.1


Depreciation and Amortization
 
OG&E
 
The provision for depreciation, which was 3.0 percent and 2.9 percent, respectively, of the average depreciable utility plant for 2012 and 2011, is provided on a straight-line method over the estimated service life of the utility assets.  Depreciation is provided at the unit level for production plant and at the account or sub-account level for all other plant, and is based on the average life group method. Amortization of intangible assets is computed using the straight-line method. Of the remaining amortizable intangible plant balance at December 31, 2012, 92.4 percent will be amortized over 9.25 years with 7.6 percent of the remaining amortizable intangible plant balance at December 31, 2012 being amortized over their respective lives ranging from three to five years.  Amortization of plant acquisition adjustments is provided on a straight-line basis over the estimated remaining service life of the acquired asset.  Plant acquisition adjustments include $148.3 million for the Redbud Plant, which are being amortized over a 27-year life and $3.3 million for certain substation facilities in OG&E's service territory, which are being amortized over a 26 to 59-year period.
 
Enogex
 
For Enogex, depreciation is computed principally on the straight-line method using estimated useful lives of three to 83 years for transportation and storage assets, three to 30 years for gathering and processing assets and three to 15 years for general plant assets. Amortization of intangible assets other than debt costs is computed using the straight-line method over the respective lives of the intangible assets ranging up to 20 years.

The computation of depreciation expense requires judgment regarding the estimated useful lives and salvage value of assets at the time the assets are placed in service. As circumstances warrant, useful lives are adjusted when changes in planned use, changes in estimated production lives of affiliated natural gas basins or other factors indicate that a different life would be more appropriate. Such changes could materially impact future depreciation expense. Changes in useful lives that do not result in the impairment of an asset are recognized prospectively. The computation of amortization expense on intangible assets requires judgment regarding the amortization method used. Intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their useful lives using a method of amortization that reflects the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible asset are consumed.
Asset Retirement Obligations

The Company has previously recorded asset retirement obligations that are being amortized over their respective lives ranging from three months to 74 years.  The Company also has certain asset retirement obligations primarily related to Enogex's processing plants and compression sites that have not been recorded because the Company cannot determine when these obligations will be incurred.

The following table summarizes changes to the Company's asset retirement obligations during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.
(In millions)
2012
2011
Balance at January 1
$
24.8

$
11.1

Liabilities incurred (A)
0.4

13.0

Accretion expense
1.9

0.7

Revisions in estimated cash flows (B)
26.9


Balance at December 31
$
54.0

$
24.8

(A)
Due to certain Enogex compression assets in 2012 and OG&E's Crossroads wind farm in 2011.
(B)
Due to changes to OG&E's asset retirement obligations related to its wind farms due to a change in the assumption related to the timing of removal used in the valuation of the asset retirement obligations.
Assessing Impairment of Long-Lived Assets (Including Intangible Assets) and Goodwill
 
The Company assesses its long-lived assets, including intangible assets with finite useful lives, for impairment when there is evidence that events or changes in circumstances require an analysis of the recoverability of an asset's carrying amount.  Estimates of future cash flows used to test the recoverability of long-lived assets and intangible assets shall include only the future cash flows (cash inflows less associated cash outflows) that are directly associated with and that are expected to arise as a direct result of the use and eventual disposition of the asset.  The fair value of these assets is based on third-party evaluations, prices for similar assets, historical data and projected cash flows.  An impairment loss is recognized when the sum of the expected future net cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset.  The amount of any recognized impairment is based on the estimated fair value of the asset subject to impairment compared to the carrying amount of such asset. In 2011, the Company recorded a pre-tax impairment loss of $5.0 million, of which $2.5 million was the noncontrolling interest portion (see Note 5), related to the Atoka processing plant.  The Company recorded no other material impairments in 2012, 2011 or 2010.

As a result of the gas gathering acquisitions in November 2011, Enogex recorded goodwill of $39.4 million. Enogex assesses its goodwill for impairment at least annually as of October 1 by comparing the fair value of the reporting unit with its book value, including goodwill. Enogex utilizes the income approach (generally accepted valuation approach) to estimate the fair value of the reporting unit, also giving consideration to alternative methods such as the market and cost approaches. Under the income approach, anticipated cash flows over a period of years plus a terminal value are discounted to present value using appropriate discount rates. Enogex performs its goodwill impairment testing at the natural gas gathering and processing segment reporting unit level. Enogex recorded no impairments of goodwill in 2012.
Allowance for Funds Used During Construction
 
For OG&E, allowance for funds used during construction is calculated according to the FERC pronouncements for the imputed cost of equity and borrowed funds.  Allowance for funds used during construction, a non-cash item, is reflected as an increase to net other income and a reduction to interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income and as an increase to Construction Work in Progress in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.  Allowance for funds used during construction rates, compounded semi-annually, were 8.93 percent, 8.71 percent and 8.89 percent for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  The increase in the allowance for funds used during construction rates in 2012 was primarily due to an increase in commercial paper fees in 2012 which resulted in an increase in the cost of short-term debt borrowings.
Collection of Sales Tax
 
In the normal course of its operations, OG&E collects sales tax from its customers.  OG&E records a current liability for sales taxes when it bills its customers and eliminates this liability when the taxes are remitted to the appropriate governmental authorities.  OG&E excludes the sales tax collected from its operating revenues.

Revenue Recognition
 
OG&E
 
General
 
OG&E reads its customers' meters and sends bills to its customers throughout each month.  As a result, there is a significant amount of customers' electricity consumption that has not been billed at the end of each month.  Unbilled revenue is presented in Accrued Unbilled Revenues on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and in Operating Revenues on the Consolidated Statements of Income based on estimates of usage and prices during the period.  The estimates that management uses in this calculation could vary from the actual amounts to be paid by customers.
 
SPP Purchases and Sales
 
OG&E participates in the SPP energy imbalance service market in a dual role as a load serving entity and as a generation owner.  The energy imbalance service market requires cash settlements for over or under schedules of generation and load. Market participants, including OG&E, are required to submit resource plans and can submit offer curves for each resource available for dispatch.  A function of interchange accounting is to match participants' MWH entitlements (generation plus scheduled bilateral purchases) against their MWH obligations (load plus scheduled bilateral sales) during every hour of every day. If the net result during any given hour is an entitlement, the participant is credited with a spot-market sale to the SPP at the respective market price for that hour; if the net result is an obligation, the participant is charged with a spot-market purchase from the SPP at the respective market price for that hour. The SPP purchases and sales are not allocated to individual customers.  OG&E records the hourly sales to the SPP at market rates in Operating Revenues and the hourly purchases from the SPP at market rates in Cost of Goods Sold in its Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Enogex
 
Operating revenues for gathering, processing, transportation and storage services for Enogex are recorded each month based on the current month's estimated volumes, contracted prices (considering current commodity prices), historical seasonal fluctuations and any known adjustments.  The estimates are reversed in the following month and customers are billed on actual volumes and contracted prices.  Gas sales are calculated on current-month nominations and contracted prices. Operating revenues associated with the production of NGLs are estimated based on current-month estimated production and contracted prices.  These amounts are reversed in the following month and the customers are billed on actual production and contracted prices.  Estimated operating revenues are reflected in Accounts Receivable on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and in Operating Revenues on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Enogex's key natural gas producer customers in 2012 included Chesapeake Energy Marketing Inc., Apache Corporation and Devon Energy Production Company, L.P.  In 2012, these customers accounted for 19.6 percent, 17.8 percent and 10.6 percent, respectively, of Enogex's gathering and processing volumes. In 2012, Enogex's top 10 natural gas producer customers accounted for 73.0 percent of Enogex's gathering and processing volumes.
 
Enogex recognizes revenue from natural gas gathering, processing, transportation and storage services to third parties as services are provided.  Revenue associated with NGLs is recognized when the production is sold.  Enogex depends on third-party facilities to transport and fractionate NGLs that it delivers to third parties at the inlet of their facilities. Additionally, one third party purchases 50 percent of the NGLs delivered to its system, which accounted for $297.3 million (43.3 percent), $285.4 million (38.8 percent) and $279.8 million (46.0 percent), respectively, of Enogex's total NGLs sales for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010.

Enogex records deferred revenue when it receives consideration from a third party before achieving certain criteria that must be met for revenue to be recognized in accordance with GAAP. In August 2010, Enogex completed construction of transportation and compression facilities necessary to provide gas delivery service to a new natural gas-fired electric generation facility near Pryor, Oklahoma. Aid in Construction payments of $36.4 million received in excess of construction costs were recognized as Deferred Revenues on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet and are being amortized on a straight-line basis of $1.2 million per year over the life of the related firm transportation service agreement under which service commenced in June 2011. Also, in August 2011, Enogex and one of its five largest customers entered into new agreements, effective July 1, 2011, relating to the customer's natural gas gathering and processing volumes on the Oklahoma portion of Enogex's system. As a result, Enogex has recorded $7.1 million in Deferred Revenues on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2012, which are expected to be recognized based on the estimated average fee per MMBtu processed by the end of 2014. Enogex has also recorded $1.5 million in Deferred Revenues on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2012 in connection with other gathering and processing agreements. 

Enogex engages in asset management and hedging activities related to the purchase and sale of natural gas and NGLs. Contracts utilized in these activities generally include purchases and sales for physical delivery, over-the-counter forward swap and options contracts and exchange traded futures and options.  Enogex's transactions that qualify as derivatives are reflected at fair value with the resulting unrealized gains and losses recorded as PRM Assets or Liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, classified as current or long-term based on their anticipated settlement, or against the brokerage deposits in Other Current Assets.  The offsetting unrealized gains and losses from changes in the market value of open contracts are included in Operating Revenues in the Consolidated Statements of Income or in Other Comprehensive Income for derivatives designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges.  Contracts resulting in delivery of a commodity are included as sales or purchases in the Consolidated Statements of Income as Operating Revenues or Cost of Goods Sold depending on whether the contract relates to the sale or purchase of the commodity.
 
Estimates for gas purchases are based on estimated volumes and contracted purchase prices.  Estimated gas purchases are included in Accounts Payable on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and in Cost of Goods Sold on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
 
Normal purchases and normal sales contracts are not recorded in PRM Assets or Liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and earnings recognition is recorded in the period in which physical delivery of the commodity occurs.  Management applies normal purchases and normal sales treatment to: (i) commodity contracts for the purchase and sale of natural gas used in or produced by Enogex's operations and (ii) commodity contracts for the purchase and sale of NGLs produced by Enogex's gathering and processing business.
Fuel Adjustment Clauses
 
Variances in the actual cost of fuel used in electric generation and certain purchased power costs, as compared to the fuel component included in the cost-of-service for ratemaking, are passed through to OG&E's customers through fuel adjustment clauses. The fuel adjustment clauses are subject to periodic review by the OCC, the APSC and the FERC. The OCC, the APSC and the FERC have authority to review the appropriateness of gas transportation charges or other fees OG&E pays to Enogex.
Income Taxes

The Company files consolidated income tax returns in the U.S. Federal jurisdiction and various state jurisdictions.  Income taxes are generally allocated to each company in the affiliated group based on its stand-alone taxable income or loss.  Federal investment tax credits previously claimed on electric utility property have been deferred and are being amortized to income over the life of the related property. The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, a deferred tax asset or liability is recognized for the estimated future tax effects attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement basis and the tax basis of assets and liabilities as well as tax credit carry forwards and net operating loss carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the period of the change. The Company recognizes interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and recognizes penalties in other expense.
Accrued Vacation
 
The Company accrues vacation pay monthly by establishing a liability for vacation earned. Vacation may be taken as earned and is charged against the liability. At the end of each year, the liability represents the amount of vacation earned, but not taken.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
The following table summarizes the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss at December 31, 2012 and 2011 attributable to OGE Energy.  At both December 31, 2012 and 2011, there was no accumulated other comprehensive loss related to Enogex's noncontrolling interest in Atoka.
December 31 (In millions)
2012
2011
Pension Plan and Restoration of Retirement Income Plan:
 
 
Net loss
$
(49.3
)
$
(42.1
)
Prior service cost
0.1

(0.1
)
Postretirement plans:
 
 
Net loss
(15.7
)
(15.4
)
Prior service cost
7.2

9.0

Net transition obligation

(0.1
)
Deferred commodity contracts hedging gains
0.1

3.3

Deferred interest rate swap hedging losses
(0.5
)
(0.7
)
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss
(58.1
)
(46.1
)
Less:  Accumulated other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
(9.0
)
(5.5
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax
$
(49.1
)
$
(40.6
)

 
The amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss at December 31, 2012 that are expected to be recognized into earnings in 2013 are as follows:
(In millions)
 
Pension Plan and Restoration of Retirement Income Plan:
 
Net loss
$
3.3

Prior service cost
0.1

Postretirement plans:
 
Net loss
2.0

Prior service cost
(1.8
)
Deferred commodity contracts hedging gains
0.1

Deferred interest rate swap hedging losses
(0.2
)
Total, net of tax
$
3.5

Environmental Costs
 
Accruals for environmental costs are recognized when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated.  Costs are charged to expense or deferred as a regulatory asset based on expected recovery from customers in future rates, if they relate to the remediation of conditions caused by past operations or if they are not expected to mitigate or prevent contamination from future operations.  Where environmental expenditures relate to facilities currently in use, such as pollution control equipment, the costs may be capitalized and depreciated over the future service periods.  Estimated remediation costs are recorded at undiscounted amounts, independent of any insurance or rate recovery, based on prior experience, assessments and current technology.  Accrued obligations are regularly adjusted as environmental assessments and estimates are revised, and remediation efforts proceed.  For sites where OG&E or Enogex have been designated as one of several potentially responsible parties, the amount accrued represents OG&E's or Enogex's estimated share of the cost.  The Company had $5.8 million and $5.5 million in accrued environmental liabilities at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, which are included in the summary of asset retirement obligations above.
Reclassifications
As discussed in Note 15, during the third quarter of 2012, the operations and activities of EER were fully integrated with those of Enogex through the creation of a new commodity management organization. The operations of EER, including asset management activities, have been included in the natural gas transportation and storage segment and have been restated for all prior periods presented to conform to the 2012 presentation.