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Commitments and Contingencies
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2018
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies
11. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Litigation and legal proceedings. In February 2017, DBJV, at the time a 50/50 joint venture between a third party and WES, initiated an arbitration against SWEPI LP (“SWEPI”) for breach of a 2007 gas gathering agreement between it and DBJV (the “GGA”). Specifically, DBJV sought to collect certain gathering fees under the GGA for the period January 1, 2016 to July 1, 2017. SWEPI disputed DBJV’s calculation of the cost of service based rate and filed a counterclaim alleging overpayment of fees under the GGA for the years 2013 through 2015. As part of the adoption of Topic 606 (see Note 1), during the first quarter of 2018, WES recorded a $7.5 million contract liability and reduced total equity and partners’ capital related to the counterclaim for the years 2013 through 2015 under the GGA revenue contract. The arbitration hearing concluded on June 27, 2018. On September 14, 2018, the panel issued a binding non-appealable decision awarding no damages to either DBJV or SWEPI. As such, during the third quarter of 2018, the previously recorded contract liability was reversed, resulting in a $7.5 million increase to Service revenues - fee based in the consolidated statements of operations.
In addition, from time to time, WGP, through its partnership interests in WES, is involved in legal, tax, regulatory and other proceedings in various forums regarding performance, contracts and other matters that arise in the ordinary course of business. Management is not aware of any such proceeding for which the final disposition could have a material adverse effect on WGP’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Other commitments. WES has short-term payment obligations, or commitments, related to its capital spending programs, as well as those of its unconsolidated affiliates, the majority of which is expected to be paid in the next twelve months. These commitments relate primarily to construction and expansion projects at the DBJV system and the DJ Basin and DBM complexes.

Lease commitments. Anadarko, on WES’s behalf, has entered into lease arrangements for corporate offices, shared field offices and equipment supporting WES’s operations, for which Anadarko charges WES lease expense. The leases for the corporate offices and shared field offices extend through 2028 and 2033, respectively. Lease expense charged to WES associated with these lease arrangements was $14.6 million and $40.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively, and $12.0 million and $32.7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively.