Fair Value Measurements and Guarantees

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements and Guarantees [Text Block]

Note 8 – Fair Value Measurements and Guarantees

The following table presents, by level within the fair value hierarchy, certain of our financial assets and liabilities. The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable approximate fair value because of the short-term nature of these instruments. Therefore, these assets and liabilities are not presented in the following table.

							Fair Value Measurements Using
	Carrying  Amount			Fair Value			Quoted Prices In Active  Markets for  Identical Assets (Level 1)			Significant  Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)			Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	(Millions)
Assets (liabilities) at March 31, 2018:
Measured on a recurring basis:
ARO Trust investments	$	145		$	145		$	145		$	—		$	—
Energy derivatives assets designated as hedging instruments	2			2			2			—			—
Energy derivatives assets not designated as hedging instruments	4			4			4			—			—
Energy derivatives liabilities designated as hedging instruments	(3		)	(3		)	(3		)	—			—
Energy derivatives liabilities not designated as hedging instruments	(4		)	(4		)	(1		)	—			(3		)
Additional disclosures:
Other receivables	7			7			7			—			—
Long-term debt, including current portion	(17,512		)	(18,307		)	—			(18,307		)	—
Assets (liabilities) at December 31, 2017:
Measured on a recurring basis:
ARO Trust investments	$	135		$	135		$	135		$	—		$	—
Energy derivatives liabilities designated as hedging instruments	(3		)	(3		)	(2		)	(1		)	—
Energy derivatives liabilities not designated as hedging instruments	(3		)	(3		)	—			—			(3		)
Additional disclosures:
Other receivables	7			7			7			—			—
Long-term debt, including current portion	(16,497		)	(18,112		)	—			(18,112		)	—

Fair Value Methods

We use the following methods and assumptions in estimating the fair value of our financial instruments:

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis

ARO Trust investments: Transco deposits a portion of its collected rates, pursuant to its rate case settlement, into an external trust (ARO Trust) that is specifically designated to fund future asset retirement obligations (ARO). The ARO Trust invests in a portfolio of actively traded mutual funds that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis based on quoted prices in an active market and is reported in Regulatory assets, deferred charges, and other in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Both realized and unrealized gains and losses are ultimately recorded as regulatory assets or liabilities.

Energy derivatives: Energy derivatives include commodity-based exchange-traded contracts and over-the-counter contracts, which consist of physical forwards, futures, and swaps that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The fair value amounts are presented on a gross basis and do not reflect the netting of asset and liability positions permitted under the terms of our master netting arrangements. Further, the amounts do not include cash held on deposit in margin accounts that we have received or remitted to collateralize certain derivative positions. Energy derivatives assets are reported in Other current assets and deferred charges and Regulatory assets, deferred charges, and other in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Energy derivatives liabilities are reported in Other accrued liabilities and Regulatory liabilities, deferred income, and other in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Reclassifications of fair value between Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, if applicable, are made at the end of each quarter. No transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2018 or 2017.

Additional fair value disclosures

Other receivables: Other receivables consist of margin deposits, which are reported in Other current assets and deferred charges in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The disclosed fair value of our margin deposits is considered to approximate the carrying value generally due to the short-term nature of these items.

Long-term debt, including current portion: The disclosed fair value of our long-term debt is determined primarily by a market approach using broker quoted indicative period-end bond prices. The quoted prices are based on observable transactions in less active markets for our debt or similar instruments.

Guarantees

We are required by our revolving credit agreement to indemnify lenders for certain taxes required to be withheld from payments due to the lenders and for certain tax payments made by the lenders. The maximum potential amount of future payments under these indemnifications is based on the related borrowings and such future payments cannot currently be determined. These indemnifications generally continue indefinitely unless limited by the underlying tax regulations and have no carrying value. We have never been called upon to perform under these indemnifications and have no current expectation of a future claim.