Variable Interest Entities

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Variable Interest Entities

5.Variable Interest Entities

As of December 31, 2014, the Partnership consolidates the following VIEs:

Cardinal Venture.  The Partnership owns a 66 percent interest in Cardinal Gas Services, L.L.C (“Cardinal Venture”), a subsidiary that, due to certain risks shared with customers, is a VIE. The Partnership is the primary beneficiary because it has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact Cardinal Venture’s economic performance. The Partnership, as operator for Cardinal Venture, designed, constructed, and installed associated pipelines which will initially provide production handling and gathering services for the Utica region. The Partnership has received certain advance payments from the equity partners during the construction process.

Jackalope Venture.  The Partnership owns a 50 percent interest in Jackalope Gas Gathering Services, L.L.C (“Jackalope Venture”), a subsidiary that, due to certain risks shared with customers, is a VIE. The Partnership is the primary beneficiary because it has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact Jackalope Venture’s economic performance. The Partnership, as operator for Jackalope Venture, designed, constructed, and installed associated pipelines which will initially provide production handling and gathering services for the Niobrara region. The Partnership has received certain advance payments from the equity partners during the construction process.

The following table presents amounts included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet that are for the use or obligation of these VIEs ($ in thousands):

Assets (liabilities):		December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013		Classification
Cash	$	41,868		$	16,830		Cash and cash equivalents
Trade accounts receivable		42,638			20,402		Accounts receivable
Prepaid expenses		101			32		Prepaid expenses
Other current assets		610			509		Prepaid expenses
Gathering system		1,160,480			665,510		Gathering systems
Other fixed assets		762			14		Other fixed assets
Trade accounts payable		(4,177	)		(3,987	)	Accounts payable
Accrued liabilities		(52,282	)		(65,853	)	Accrued gathering liabilities
Asset retirement obligation		(1,036	)		(187	)	Other liabilities, long-term