Related Party Transactions

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Related Party Transactions [Abstract]

Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]

Note 4 – Related Party Transactions

Transactions with Equity-Method Investees

We have purchases from our equity-method investees included in Product costs in the Consolidated Statement of Operationsof $187 million, $197 million, and $161 million for the years ended 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. We have $12 million and $13 million included in Accounts payablein the Consolidated Balance Sheetwith our equity-method investees at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

WPZ has operating agreements with certain equity-method investees. These operating agreements typically provide for reimbursement or payment to WPZ for certain direct operational payroll and employee benefit costs, materials, supplies, and other charges and also for management services. We supplied a portion of these services, primarily those related to employees since WPZ does not have any employees, to certain equity-method investees. The total gross charges to equity-method investees for these fees included in the Consolidated Statement of Operations are $64 million, $65 million, and $67 million for the years ended 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively.

Board of Directors

A member of our Board of Directors, who was elected in 2013, is also the current chairman, president, and chief executive officer of an energy services company that is a customer of ours. We recorded $111 million, $115 million, and $131 million in Service revenues in the Consolidated Statement of Operations from this company for transportation and storage of natural gas for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively.