Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

The Partnership’s revenues and cost of products sold are materially impacted by changes in NGL prices. Additionally, the Partnership's results of operations are materially impacted by changes in interest rates. In an effort to manage its exposure to these risks, the Partnership periodically enters into various derivative instruments, including commodity and interest rate hedges. All derivatives and hedging instruments are included on the balance sheet as an asset or a liability measured at fair value and changes in fair value are recognized currently in earnings. All of the Partnership's derivatives are non-hedge derivatives and therefore all changes in fair values are recognized as gains and losses in the earnings of the periods in which they occur.

(a)    Commodity Derivative Instruments

The Partnership from time to time has used derivatives to manage the risk of commodity price fluctuation. Commodity risk is the adverse effect on the value of a liability or future purchase that results from a change in commodity price.  The Partnership has established a hedging policy and monitors and manages the commodity market risk associated with potential commodity risk exposure.  In addition, the Partnership has focused on utilizing counterparties for these transactions whose financial condition is appropriate for the credit risk involved in each specific transaction. The Partnership has entered into hedging transactions as of March 31, 2018 to protect a portion of its commodity price risk exposure. These hedging arrangements are in the form of swaps for NGLs. The Partnership has instruments totaling a gross notional quantity of 50 barrels settling during the period from May 1, 2018 through June 30, 2018. At December 31, 2017, the Partnership had instruments totaling a gross notional quantity of 145 barrels settling during the period from January 31, 2018 through February 28, 2018. These instruments settle against the applicable pricing source for each grade and location.

(b)    Interest Rate Derivative Instruments

The Partnership is exposed to market risks associated with interest rates. Market risk is the adverse effect on the value of a financial instrument that results from a change in interest rates. We minimize this market risk by establishing and monitoring parameters that limit the types and degree of market risk that may be undertaken. From time to time, the Partnership enters into interest rate swaps to manage interest rate risk associated with the Partnership’s variable rate credit

facility and its fixed rate senior unsecured notes. At March 31, 2018 and 2017, the Partnership did not have any outstanding interest rate derivative instruments.

For information regarding gains and losses on interest rate derivative instruments, see "Tabular Presentation of Gains and Losses on Derivative Instruments" below.

(c)    Tabular Presentation of Gains and Losses on Derivative Instruments

The following table summarizes the fair value and classification of the Partnership’s derivative instruments in its Consolidated and Condensed Balance Sheets:

	Fair Values of Derivative Instruments in the Consolidated and Condensed Balance Sheets
	Derivative Assets					Derivative Liabilities
		Fair Values					Fair Values
	Balance Sheet Location	March 31, 2018		December 31, 2017		Balance Sheet Location	March 31, 2018		December 31, 2017
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:	Current:
Commodity contracts	Fair value of derivatives	$	82	$	—	Fair value of derivatives	$	—	$	72
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments		$	82	$	—		$	—	$	72

Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Consolidated and Condensed Statements of Operations

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and 2017

	Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on  Derivatives	Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives
		2018		2017
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Commodity contracts	Cost of products sold	$	2,470	$	(2,495	)
Total effect of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments		$	2,470	$	(2,495	)