2.4.0.82103100 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policiestruefalsefalse1false falsefalseD2012Q4http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001338613duration2012-01-01T00:00:002012-12-31T00:00:001true 1rgp_SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesAbstractrgp_falsenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:stringItemTypestringfalse0Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]2false 2us-gaap_SignificantAccountingPoliciesTextBlockus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00<div style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;"><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:12px;padding-top:12px;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:8px;padding-top:12px;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;">Use of Estimates.</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with GAAP, which includes the use of estimates and assumptions by management that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities that exist at the date of the financial statements. Although these estimates are based on management’s available knowledge of current and expected future events, actual results could be different from those estimates.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:12px;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;">Common Control Transactions. </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Entities and assets acquired from ETE and its affiliates are accounted for as common control transactions whereby the net assets acquired are combined with ours at their historical amounts. If any cash consideration transferred in such a transaction exceeds the carrying value of the net assets acquired, the excess is treated as a capital transaction with our general partner, similar to a dividend. If the carrying value of the net assets acquired exceeds any cash consideration transferred and limited partner units are also issued as consideration, then the limited partner units are recorded at an amount equal to the excess of the carrying value of the net assets acquired over any cash consideration transferred. To the extent that such transactions require prior periods to be recast, historical net equity amounts prior to the transaction date are reflected in predecessor equity.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:8px;padding-top:12px;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;">Cash and Cash Equivalents.</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> Cash and cash equivalents include temporary cash investments with original maturities of three months or less.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:8px;padding-top:12px;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;">Equity Method Investments.</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> The equity method of accounting is used to account for the Partnership’s interest in investments of greater than </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">20%</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> voting interest or where the Partnership exerts significant influence over an investee but lacks control over the investee.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:8px;padding-top:12px;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;">Other Current Assets and Other Current Liabilities.</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> As of </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">December 31, 2012</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> and </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">2011</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">, other current assets included spare parts inventories in the Partnership’s Contract Services segment of </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">$27 million</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> and </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">$21 million</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">, respectively, and other current liabilities included accrued interest of </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">$30 million</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> and </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">$27 million</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">, respectively.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:8px;padding-top:12px;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;">Property, Plant and Equipment.</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> Property, plant and equipment is recorded at historical cost of construction or, upon acquisition, the fair value of the assets acquired. Gains or losses on sales or retirements of assets are included in operating income unless the disposition is treated as discontinued operations. Natural gas and NGLs used to maintain pipeline minimum pressures is capitalized and classified as property, plant and equipment. Financing costs associated with the construction of larger assets requiring ongoing efforts over a period of time are capitalized. For the years ended December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 and the periods from May 26, 2010 to </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">December 31, 2010</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> and January 1, 2010 to May 25, 2010, the Partnership capitalized interest of </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">$1 million</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">, </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">$1 million</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">, </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">$1 million</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> and </font><font style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;text-decoration:none;">$1 million</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">, respectively. The costs of maintenance and repairs, which are not significant improvements, are expensed when incurred. Expenditures to extend the useful lives of the assets are capitalized.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets are recorded at fair value at the time the obligations are incurred, if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. Present value techniques are used which reflect assumptions such as removal and remediation costs, inflation, and profit margins that third parties would demand to settle the amount of the future obligation. The Partnership does not include a market risk premium for unforeseeable circumstances in its fair value estimates because such a premium cannot be reliably estimated. Upon initial recognition of the liability, costs are capitalized as a part of the long-lived asset and allocated to expense over the useful life of the related asset. The liability is accreted to its present value each period with accretion being recorded to operating expense with a corresponding increase in the carrying amount of the liability. The ARO assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2012 were </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">$5 million</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:8px;padding-top:12px;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Depreciation expense related to property, plant and equipment was </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">$219 million</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">, </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">$138 million</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">, </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">$60 million</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> and </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">$37 million</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> for the years ended </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">December 31, 2012</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> and </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">December 31, 2011</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> and the periods from May 26, 2010 to </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">December 31, 2010</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> and January 1, 2010 to May 25, 2010, respectively. In March 2012, the Partnership recorded a </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">$7 million</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> “out-of-period” adjustment to depreciation expense to correct the estimated useful lives of certain assets to comply with its policy. The adjustment to depreciation expense related to the year ended December 31, 2011 and the period from May 26, 2010 to December 31, 2010 was </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">$4 million</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> and </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">$3 million</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">, respectively. Depreciation of property, plant and equipment is recorded on a straight-line basis over the following estimated useful lives:</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="3" rowspan="1"></td></tr><tr><td width="32%" rowspan="1" colspan="1"></td><td width="53%" rowspan="1" colspan="1"></td><td width="15%" rowspan="1" colspan="1"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:2px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;" rowspan="1" colspan="1"><div style="text-align:justify;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">Functional Class of Property</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;" rowspan="1" colspan="1"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> </font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:2px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;" rowspan="1" colspan="1"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">Useful Lives (Years)</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;background-color:#cceeff;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;" rowspan="1" colspan="1"><div style="text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Gathering and Transmission Systems</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#cceeff;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;" rowspan="1" colspan="1"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> </font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#cceeff;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;" rowspan="1" colspan="1"><div style="text-align:right;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">10 - 50</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;" rowspan="1" colspan="1"><div style="text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Compression Equipment</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;" rowspan="1" colspan="1"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> </font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;" rowspan="1" colspan="1"><div style="text-align:right;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">2 - 30</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;background-color:#cceeff;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;" rowspan="1" colspan="1"><div style="text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Gas Plants and Buildings</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#cceeff;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;" rowspan="1" colspan="1"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> </font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#cceeff;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;" rowspan="1" colspan="1"><div style="text-align:right;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">5 - 35</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;" rowspan="1" colspan="1"><div style="text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Other property, plant and equipment</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;" rowspan="1" colspan="1"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> </font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;" rowspan="1" colspan="1"><div style="text-align:right;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">3 - 15</font></div></td></tr></table></div><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br clear="none"/></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:8px;padding-top:12px;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;">Intangible Assets.</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> As of </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">December 31, 2012</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">, intangible assets consisted of trade names and customer relations, and are amortized on a straight line basis over their estimated useful lives, which is the period over which the assets are expected to contribute directly or indirectly to the Partnership’s future cash flows. The estimated useful lives range from </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">20</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> to </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">30</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> years. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:8px;padding-top:12px;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">The Partnership assesses long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability is assessed by comparing the carrying amount of an asset to undiscounted future net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured as the amount by which the carrying amounts exceed the fair value of the assets. The Partnership did not record any impairment in </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">2012</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">, </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">2011</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> or </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">2010</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:8px;padding-top:12px;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;">Goodwill.</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired in a business combination. Goodwill is not amortized, but is tested for impairment annually based on the carrying values as of November 30 or December 31, or more frequently if impairment indicators arise that suggest the carrying value of goodwill may not be recovered. The Partnership has the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether further impairment testing is necessary. Impairment is indicated when the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value. To estimate the fair value of the reporting units, the Partnership makes estimates and judgments about future cash flows, as well as revenues, cost of sales, operating expenses, capital expenditures and net working capital based on assumptions that are consistent with the Partnership’s most recent forecast. At the time it is determined that an impairment has occurred, the carrying value of the goodwill is written down to its fair value. The Partnership did not record any impairment in </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">2012</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">, </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">2011</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> or </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">2010</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:8px;padding-top:12px;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;">Other Assets, net.</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> Other assets, net primarily consists of debt issuance costs, which are capitalized and amortized to interest expense, net over the life of the related debt.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:8px;padding-top:12px;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;">Gas Imbalances.</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> Quantities of natural gas or NGLs over-delivered or under-delivered related to imbalance agreements are recorded monthly as other current assets or other current liabilities using then current market prices or the weighted average prices of natural gas or NGLs at the plant or system pursuant to imbalance agreements for which settlement prices are not contractually established. Within certain volumetric limits determined at the sole discretion of the creditor, these imbalances are generally settled by deliveries of natural gas. Imbalance receivables and payables as of </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">December 31, 2012</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> and </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">2011</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> were immaterial.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:8px;padding-top:12px;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;">Revenue Recognition.</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> The Partnership earns revenue from (i) domestic sales of natural gas, NGLs and condensate, (ii) natural gas gathering, processing and transportation, (iii) contract compression services, and (iv) contract treating services. Revenue associated with sales of natural gas, NGLs and condensate are recognized when title passes to the customer, which is when the risk of ownership passes to the purchaser and physical delivery occurs. Revenue associated with transportation and processing fees are recognized when the service is provided. For contract compression and contract treating services, revenue is recognized when the service is performed. For gathering and processing services, the Partnership receives either fees or commodities from natural gas producers depending on the type of contract. Commodities received are in turn sold and recognized as revenue in accordance with the criteria outlined above. Under the percentage-of-proceeds contract type, the Partnership is paid for its services by keeping a percentage of the NGLs produced and a percentage of the residue gas resulting from processing the natural gas. Under the percentage-of-index contract type, the Partnership earns revenue by purchasing wellhead natural gas at a percentage of the index price and selling processed natural gas and NGLs at a price approximating the index price to third parties. The Partnership generally reports revenue gross in the consolidated statements of operations when it acts as the principal, takes title to the product, and incurs the risks and rewards of ownership. Revenue for fee-based arrangements is presented net, because the Partnership takes the role of an agent for the producers. Allowance for doubtful accounts is determined based on historical write-off experience and specific identification.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:8px;padding-top:12px;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;">Derivative Instruments.</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> The Partnership's net income and cash flows are subject to volatility stemming from changes in market prices such as natural gas prices, NGLs prices, processing margins and interest rates. The Partnership uses natural gas, ethane, propane, butane, natural gasoline, and condensate swaps as well as ethane put options to create offsetting positions to specific commodity price exposures, and uses interest rate swap contracts to create offsetting positions to specific interest rate exposures. Derivative financial instruments are recorded on the balance sheet at their fair value based on their settlement date. The Partnership employs derivative financial instruments in connection with an underlying asset, liability and/or anticipated transaction and not for speculative purposes. Furthermore, the Partnership regularly assesses the creditworthiness of counterparties to manage the risk of default. Derivative financial instruments qualifying for hedge accounting treatment may be designated by the Partnership as cash flow hedges. The Partnership enters into cash flow hedges to hedge the variability in cash flows related to a forecasted transaction. At inception, the Partnership formally documents the relationship between the hedging instrument and the hedged item, the risk management objectives, and the methods used for assessing and testing correlation and hedge effectiveness. The Partnership also assesses, both at the inception of the hedge and on an on-going basis, whether the derivatives are highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of the hedged item. If the Partnership determines that a derivative is no longer highly effective as a hedge, it discontinues hedge accounting prospectively by including changes in the fair value of the derivative in current earnings. For cash flow hedges, changes in the derivative fair values, to the extent that the hedges are effective, are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) until the hedged transactions occur and are recognized in earnings. Any ineffective portion of a cash flow hedge's change in value is recognized immediately in earnings. In the statement of cash flows, the effects of settlements of derivative instruments are classified consistent with the related hedged transactions. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:8px;padding-top:12px;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;">Benefits.</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> The Partnership previously provided medical, dental, and other healthcare benefits to employees, including providing a matching contribution for employee contributions to their 401(k) accounts, which vested ratably over 3 years. Effective January 1, 2011, the Partnership’s 401(k) plan merged with and into that of ETP. As a result of the merger, the Partnership’s matching contributions that had not yet fully vested became fully vested, effective immediately. All future matching contributions from the Partnership to the employee 401(k) accounts will vest immediately. In addition, SUGS maintained a separate defined contribution plan during March 26, 2012 to December 31, 2012. The total amount of matching contributions for the years ended </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">December 31, 2012</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> and </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">December 31, 2011</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> and the period from May 26, 2010 to </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">December 31, 2010</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> was </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">$4 million</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">, </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">$3 million</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">, and </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">$2 million</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">, respectively, and were recorded in general and administrative expenses. The amount of matching contributions for the period from January 1, 2010 to May 25, 2010 was less than $1 million. The Partnership has no pension obligations or other post-employment benefits.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:8px;padding-top:12px;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Beginning January 1, 2013, the Partnership will provide a </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">3%</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> profit sharing contribution to employee 401(k) accounts for all employees with base compensation of </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">$125,000</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> or less. The contribution is in addition to the 401(k) matching contribution and employees become vested based on years of service. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:8px;padding-top:12px;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;">Income Taxes.</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> The Partnership is generally not subject to income taxes, except as discussed below, because its income is taxed directly to its partners. The Partnership is subject to the gross margins tax enacted by the state of Texas. The Partnership has two wholly-owned subsidiary that are subject to income tax and provides for deferred income taxes using the asset and liability method. Accordingly, deferred taxes are recorded for differences between the tax and book basis that will reverse in future periods. The Partnership’s deferred tax liabilities of </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">$22 million</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> and </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">$6 million</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, relate to the difference between the book and tax basis of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets and is included in other long-term liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The Partnership follows the guidance for uncertainties in income taxes where a liability for an unrecognized tax benefit is recorded for a tax position that does not meet the “more likely than not” criteria. The Partnership has not recorded any uncertain tax positions meeting the more likely than not criteria as of December 31, 2012 and 2011. The Partnership recognized current federal income tax expense of </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">$1 million</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> for the period from May 26, 2010 to December 31, 2010 and less than $1 million for the years ended December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 and the period from January 1, 2010 to May 25, 2010, respectively. The Partnership also recognized deferred income tax benefit of </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">$1 million</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> for the year ended December 31, 2012 and less than $1 million using a 35% effective rate for the year ended December 31, 2011 and the periods from May 26, 2010 to December 31, 2010 and January 1, 2010 to May 25, 2010, respectively. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Although the SUGS operations were included in the Southern Union consolidated federal income tax return prior to the SUGS Acquisition, following their acquisition by the Partnership, their operations are now treated as a partnership. Therefore, other than one wholly-owned subsidiary, the historical operations exclude income taxes for all periods presented.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:8px;padding-top:12px;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">The IRS commenced audits of our 2007 and 2008 federal income tax returns on January 27, 2010. The IRS has now completed its audit of these returns and proposed certain adjustments. The Partnership filed a protest with the IRS to initiate the appeals process and appeal certain of these adjustments. Until this matter is fully resolved, it is not known whether any amounts ultimately recorded would be material, or how such adjustments would affect unitholders. The IRS is also conducting an audit of the 2007 through 2009 tax returns of one of the Partnership’s wholly-owned subsidiaries and has proposed certain adjustments. The subsidiary has filed a protest with the IRS. The statute of limitations for each of these audits has been extended to December 31, 2014.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:8px;padding-top:12px;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;">Equity-Based Compensation.</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> The Partnership accounts for equity-based compensation by recognizing the grant-date fair value of awards into expense as they are earned, using an estimated forfeiture rate. The forfeiture rate assumption is reviewed annually to determine whether any adjustments to expense are required.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:8px;padding-top:12px;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;">Earnings per Unit.</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> Basic net income per common unit is computed through the use of the two-class method, which allocates earnings to each class of equity security based on their participation in distributions and deemed distributions. Accretion of the Series A Preferred Units is considered deemed distributions. Distributions and deemed distributions to the Series A Preferred Units reduce the amount of net income available to the general partner and limited partner interests. The general partners’ interest in net income or loss consists of its respective percentage interest, make- whole allocations for any losses allocated in a prior tax year and IDRs. After deducting the General Partner’s interest, the limited partners’ interest in the remaining net income or loss is allocated to each class of equity units based on distributions and beneficial conversion feature amounts, if applicable, then divided by the weighted average number of common and subordinated units outstanding in each class of security. Diluted net income per common unit is computed by dividing limited partners’ interest in net income, after deducting the General Partner’s interest, by the weighted average number of units outstanding and the effect of non-vested restricted units, phantom units, Series A Preferred Units and unit options. For special classes of common units issued with a beneficial conversion feature, the amount of the benefit associated with the period is added back to net income and the unconverted class is added to the denominator.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;">Environmental.</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> The Partnership's operations are subject to federal, state and local laws and rules and regulations regarding water quality, hazardous and solid waste management, air quality control and other environmental matters. These laws, rules and regulations require the Partnership to conduct its operations in a specified manner and to obtain and comply with a wide variety of environmental registrations, licenses, permits, inspections and other approvals. Failure to comply with applicable environmental laws, rules and regulations may expose the Partnership to significant fines, penalties and/or interruptions in operations. The Partnership's environmental policies and procedures are designed to achieve compliance with such applicable laws and regulations. These evolving laws and regulations and claims for damages to property, employees, other persons and the environment resulting from current or past operations may result in significant expenditures and liabilities in the future.</font></div></div>falsefalsefalsenonnum:textBlockItemTypenaThe entire disclosure for all significant accounting policies of the reporting entity.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18780-107790 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18726-107790 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 22 -Paragraph 8 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. 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