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Variable Interest Entities
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015
Variable Interest Entity Disclosures [Abstract]  
Variable Interest Entities [Text Block]
Note 3 – Variable Interest Entities
As of December 31, 2015, we consolidate the following VIEs:
Gulfstar One
WPZ owns a 51 percent interest in Gulfstar One LLC (Gulfstar One), a subsidiary that, due to certain risk-sharing provisions in its customer contracts, is a VIE. Gulfstar One includes a proprietary floating-production system, Gulfstar FPS, and associated pipelines which provide production handling and gathering services for the Tubular Bells oil and gas discovery in the eastern deepwater Gulf of Mexico. WPZ is the primary beneficiary because it has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact Gulfstar One’s economic performance. Construction of an expansion project is underway that will provide production handling and gathering services for the Gunflint oil and gas discovery in the eastern deepwater Gulf of Mexico. The expansion project is expected to be in service in the first half of 2016. The current estimate of the total remaining construction cost for the expansion project is approximately $130 million, which is expected to be funded with revenues received from customers and capital contributions from WPZ and the other equity partner on a proportional basis.
Constitution
WPZ owns a 41 percent interest in Constitution, a subsidiary that, due to shipper fixed-payment commitments under its long-term firm transportation contracts, is a VIE. WPZ is the primary beneficiary because it has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact Constitution’s economic performance. WPZ, as construction manager for Constitution, is responsible for constructing the proposed pipeline connecting its gathering system in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, to the Iroquois Gas Transmission and the Tennessee Gas Pipeline systems. WPZ plans to place the project in service in the fourth quarter of 2016, assuming timely receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, and estimates the total remaining cost of the project to be approximately $571 million, which is expected to be funded with capital contributions from WPZ and the other equity partners on a proportional basis.
Cardinal
WPZ owns a 66 percent interest in Cardinal Gas Services, L.L.C (Cardinal), a subsidiary that provides gathering services for the Utica region and is a VIE due to certain risks shared with customers. WPZ is the primary beneficiary because it has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact Cardinal’s economic performance. Future expansion activity is expected to be funded with capital contributions from WPZ and the other equity partner on a proportional basis.
Jackalope
WPZ owns a 50 percent interest in Jackalope Gas Gathering Services, L.L.C (Jackalope), a subsidiary that provides gathering and processing services for the Powder River basin and is a VIE due to certain risks shared with customers. WPZ is the primary beneficiary because it has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact Jackalope’s economic performance. Future expansion activity is expected to be funded with capital contributions from WPZ and the other equity partner on a proportional basis.
The following table presents amounts included in our Consolidated Balance Sheet that are for the use or obligation of our consolidated VIEs.
 
December 31,
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
Classification
 
(Millions)
 
 
Assets (liabilities):
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
70

 
$
113

 
Cash and cash equivalents
Accounts receivable
71

 
52

 
Accounts and notes receivable – net, Trade and other
Other current assets
2

 
3

 
Other current assets and deferred charges
Property, plant, and equipment – net
3,000

 
2,794

 
Property, plant, and equipment – net
Goodwill
47

 
103

 
Goodwill
Other intangible assets – net
1,436

 
1,493

 
Other intangible assets – net of accumulated amortization
Other noncurrent assets
—

 
14

 
Regulatory assets, deferred charges, and other
Accounts payable
(59
)
 
(48
)
 
Accounts payable
Accrued liabilities
(14
)
 
(36
)
 
Accrued liabilities
Current deferred revenue
(62
)
 
(45
)
 
Accrued liabilities
Noncurrent deferred income taxes
—

 
(13
)
 
Deferred income tax liabilities
Asset retirement obligation
(93
)
 
(94
)
 
Other noncurrent liabilities
Noncurrent deferred revenue associated with customer advance payments
(331
)
 
(395
)
 
Other noncurrent liabilities