Related Party Transactions

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Related Party Transactions [Abstract]

Related Party Transactions [Text Block]

Note 5 – 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 Operations of $236 million, $226 million, and $180 million for the years ended 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. We have $18 million and $20 million included in Accounts payable in the Consolidated Balance Sheet with our equity-method investees at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

We have operating agreements with certain equity-method investees. These operating agreements typically provide for reimbursement or payment to us for certain direct operational payroll and employee benefit costs, materials, supplies, and other charges and also for management services. The total charges to equity-method investees for these fees are $75 million, $67 million, and $66 million for the years ended 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.

Board of Directors

A former member of our Board of Directors, who was elected in 2013 and resigned during 2016, is also the current chairman, president, and chief executive officer of an energy services company that is a customer of ours. We recorded $144 million in Service revenues in the Consolidated Statement of Operations from this company for transportation and storage of natural gas for the year ended December 31, 2016.