Basis of Presentation (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2016

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (or GAAP). These financial statements include the accounts of Teekay Offshore Partners L.P., which is a limited partnership organized under the laws of the Republic of The Marshall Islands, its wholly owned or controlled subsidiaries and the Dropdown Predecessor (see note 3) (collectively, the Partnership).

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Certain information and footnote disclosures required by GAAP for complete annual financial statements have been omitted and, therefore, these interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Partnership’s audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015, which are included in the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (or SEC) on April 18, 2016. In the opinion of management of the Partnership’s general partner, Teekay Offshore GP L.L.C. (or the general partner), these interim unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, which are of a normal recurring nature, necessary to present fairly, in all material respects, the Partnership’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, changes in total equity and cash flows for the interim periods presented. The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of those for a full fiscal year. Historically, the utilization of shuttle tankers in the North Sea is higher in the winter months as favorable weather conditions in the summer months provide opportunities for repairs and maintenance to the Partnership’s vessels and the offshore oil platforms. Downtime for repairs and maintenance generally reduces oil production and, thus, transportation requirements. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation.

Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (or FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, (or ASU 2014-09). ASU 2014-09 will require an entity to recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This update creates a five-step model that requires entities to exercise judgment when considering the terms of the contract(s) which include (i) identifying the contract(s) with the customer, (ii) identifying the separate performance obligations in the contract, (iii) determining the transaction price, (iv) allocating the transaction price to the separate performance obligations, and (v) recognizing revenue as each performance obligation is satisfied. ASU 2014-09 is effective for the Partnership January 1, 2018 and shall be applied, at the Partnership’s option, retrospectively to each period presented or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. The Partnership is evaluating the effect of adopting this new accounting guidance.

In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-02, Leases (or ASU 2016-02). ASU 2016-02 establishes a right-of-use model that requires a lessee to record a right of use asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. ASU 2016-02 is effective for the Partnership January 1, 2019 with early adoption permitted. A modified retrospective transition approach is required for lessees for capital and operating leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements, with certain practical expedients available. The Partnership is evaluating the effect of adopting this new accounting guidance.

In March 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (or ASU 2016-09). ASU 2016-09 simplifies aspects of accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities and classification on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-09 is effective for the Partnership January 1, 2017 with early adoption permitted. The Partnership expects the impact of adopting this new accounting guidance will be a change in presentation of cash payments for tax withholdings on share settled equity awards from an operating cash outflow to a financing cash outflow on the Partnership's statement of cash flows.