Variable Interest Entities

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Variable Interest Entity Disclosures [Abstract]

Variable Interest Entities [Text Block]

Note 4 – Variable Interest Entities

Consolidated VIEs

As of March 31, 2020, we consolidate the following VIEs:

Northeast JV

We own a 65 percent interest in the Northeast JV, a subsidiary that is a VIE due to certain of our voting rights being disproportionate to our obligation to absorb losses and substantially all of the Northeast JV’s activities being performed on our behalf. We are the primary beneficiary because we have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the Northeast JV’s economic performance. The Northeast JV provides midstream services for producers in the Marcellus Shale and Utica Shale regions. Future expansion activity is expected to be funded with capital contributions from us and the other equity partner on a proportional basis.

Gulfstar One

We own a 51 percent interest in 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 in the eastern deepwater Gulf of Mexico. We are the primary beneficiary because we have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact Gulfstar One’s economic performance.

Cardinal

We own a 66 percent interest in Cardinal, a subsidiary that provides gathering services for the Utica Shale region and is a VIE due to certain risks shared with customers. We are the primary beneficiary because we have 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 us and the other equity partner on a proportional basis.

The following table presents amounts included in our Consolidated Balance Sheet that are only for the use or obligation of our consolidated VIEs:

	March 31, 2020			December 31, 2019
	(Millions)
Assets (liabilities):
Cash and cash equivalents	$	100		$	102
Trade accounts and other receivables – net	170			167
Other current assets and deferred charges	3			5
Property, plant, and equipment – net	5,685			5,745
Intangible assets – net of accumulated amortization	2,454			2,669
Regulatory assets, deferred charges, and other	12			13
Accounts payable	(44		)	(58		)
Accrued liabilities	(54		)	(66		)
Regulatory liabilities, deferred income, and other	(285		)	(283		)

Nonconsolidated VIEs

Brazos Permian II

We own a 15 percent interest in Brazos Permian II, which provides gathering and processing services in the Delaware basin and is a VIE due primarily to our limited participating rights as the minority equity holder. During the first quarter of 2020 we recorded an impairment of our equity-method investment in Brazos Permian II (see Note 11 – Fair Value Measurements and Guarantees). Our exposure to loss is limited to the carrying value of our investment.