Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Use of Estimates

USE OF ESTIMATES—The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our significant estimates include, but are not limited to: (1) allowances for doubtful accounts receivable; (2) estimated useful lives of assets, which impact depreciation; (3) estimated fair values of long-lived assets used in impairment tests; (4) fair values of derivative instruments; (5) valuation allowances for deferred tax assets; and (6) accrual and disclosure of contingent losses. Although management believes these estimates are reasonable, actual results could differ materially from these estimates.

Cash And Cash Equivalents

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS—Cash includes currency on hand and demand and time deposits with banks or other financial institutions. Cash equivalents include highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase. Balances at financial institutions may exceed federally insured limits.

Restricted Cash

RESTRICTED CASH—At December 31, 2014, we had not yet completed the process of disbursing funds held in reserve accounts to settle pre-petition claims related to our predecessor's bankruptcy. Of the restricted cash balance of $7.0 million at December 31, 2014, approximately $3.8 million is restricted for this purpose. See payables to pre-petition creditors below.

Accounts Receivable

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE—Accounts receivable are reported net of the allowance for doubtful accounts. Our assessment of the allowance for doubtful accounts is based on several factors, including the overall creditworthiness of our customers, existing economic conditions, and the amount and age of past due accounts. We enter into netting arrangements with certain counterparties to help mitigate credit risk. Receivables subject to netting are presented as gross receivables (with the related accounts payable also presented gross) until such time as the balances are settled. Receivables are considered past due if full payment is not received by the contractual due date. Past due accounts are written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts only after all collection attempts have been exhausted.

Inventories

INVENTORIES—Inventories primarily consist of natural gas and natural gas liquids, crude oil, and asphalt. Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market, with cost generally determined using the weighted-average method. The cost of inventory includes applicable transportation costs.

We enter into exchanges with third parties whereby we acquire products that differ in location, grade, or delivery date from products we have available for sale. These exchanges are valued at cost, and although a transportation, location or product differential may be recorded, generally no gain or loss is recognized.

Property, Plant and Equipment

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT—Property, plant and equipment is recorded at cost. We capitalize costs that extend or increase the future economic benefits of property, plant and equipment, and expense maintenance costs that do not. When assets are disposed of, their cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the balance sheet, and any resulting gain or loss is recorded as a gain or loss on disposal or impairment of long-lived assets in the consolidated statements of operations.

Our SemCAMS segment operates plants which periodically undergo planned major maintenance activities, typically occurring every four to five years.  Planned major maintenance projects that do not increase the overall life or capacity of the related assets are recorded in operating expense as incurred, whereas major maintenance activity costs that materially increase the life or capacity of the underlying assets are capitalized. When maintenance expenses are recoverable from the producers who use the plants, they are recorded as revenue, and typically include a 10% overhead fee. 

Depreciation is calculated primarily on the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:

Pipelines and related facilities	10 – 31 years
Storage and terminal facilities	10 – 25 years
Natural gas gathering and processing facilities	10 – 31 years
Trucking equipment and other	3 – 7 years
Office property and equipment	3 – 31 years

Construction in process is reclassified to the fixed asset categories above and depreciation commences once the asset has been placed in-service.

Linefill

LINEFILL—Pipelines and storage facilities generally require a minimum volume of product in the system to enable the system to operate. Such product, known as linefill, is generally not available to be withdrawn from the system. Linefill owned by us in facilities operated by us is recorded at historical cost, is included in property, plant and equipment in the consolidated balance sheets, and is not depreciated. We also own linefill in third-party facilities, which is included in inventory on the consolidated balance sheets.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS—We test long-lived asset groups for impairment when events or circumstances indicate that the net book value of the asset group may not be recoverable. We test an asset group for impairment by estimating the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from its use and eventual disposition. If the estimated undiscounted cash flows are lower than the net book value of the asset group, we then estimate the fair value of the asset group and record a reduction to the net book value of the assets and a corresponding impairment loss.

Goodwill

GOODWILL—We test goodwill for impairment on an annual basis, or more often if circumstances warrant, by estimating the fair value of the asset group to which the goodwill relates and comparing this fair value to the net book value of the asset group. If fair value is less than net book value, we estimate the implied fair value of goodwill, reduce the book value of the goodwill to the implied fair value, and record a corresponding impairment loss. Our policy is to test goodwill for impairment on October 1 of each year.

Intangible Assets

INTANGIBLE ASSETS—Intangible assets are stated at cost, net of accumulated amortization, which is recorded on a straight-line or accelerated basis over the life of the asset. We review amortizable intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. If such a review should indicate that the carrying amount of amortizable intangible assets is not recoverable, we reduce the carrying amount of such assets to fair value.

Equity Method Investments

EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENTS—We account for an investment under the equity method when we have significant influence over, but not control of, the significant operating decisions of the investee. Under the equity method, we record in the consolidated statements of operations our share of the earnings or losses of the investee, with a corresponding adjustment to the investment balance on our consolidated balance sheet. When we receive a distribution from an equity method investee, we record a corresponding reduction to the investment balance. When an equity method investee issues additional ownership interests which dilute our ownership interest, we recognize a gain or loss in our consolidated statements of operations.

For equity method investments for which we do not expect financial information to be consistently available on a timely basis to apply the equity method currently, our policy is to apply the equity method consistently on a one-quarter lag.

Debt Issuance Costs

DEBT ISSUANCE COSTS—Costs incurred in connection with the issuance of long-term debt are reported as other noncurrent assets and are amortized to interest expense using the straight-line method over the term of the related debt. Use of the straight-line method of amortization does not differ materially from the “effective interest” method.

Commodity Derivative Instruments

COMMODITY DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS—We generally record the fair value of commodity derivative instruments on the consolidated balance sheets and the change in fair value as an increase or decrease to product revenue.

As shown in Note 14, the fair value of commodity derivatives at December 31, 2014 and 2013 are recorded to other current assets or other current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. Related margin deposits are recorded to other current assets or other current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. Margin deposits are not generally netted against derivative assets or liabilities.

The fair value of a derivative contract is determined based on the nature of the transaction and the market in which the transaction was executed. Quoted market prices, when available, are used to value derivative transactions. In situations where quoted market prices are not readily available, we estimate the fair value using other valuation techniques that reflect the best information available under the circumstances. Fair value measurements of derivative assets include consideration of counterparty credit risk. Fair value measurements of derivative liabilities include consideration of our creditworthiness.

We have elected “normal purchase” and “normal sale” treatment for certain commitments to purchase or sell petroleum products at future dates. This election is only available when a transaction that would ordinarily meet the definition of a derivative but instead is expected to result in physical delivery of product over a reasonable period in the normal course of business and is not expected to be net settled. Agreements accounted for under this election are not recorded at fair value; instead, the transaction is recorded when the product is delivered.

Payables to Pre-Petition Creditors

PAYABLES TO PRE-PETITION CREDITORS—At December 31, 2014, we had not yet completed the process of disbursing funds held in reserve accounts to settle pre-petition claims related to our predecessor's bankruptcy. We recorded a liability of $3.1 million at December 31, 2014 associated with these obligations and a liability of $0.7 million which is associated with discontinued operations and is reported within other current liabilities. Cash is held in accounts restricted for this purpose which is included in Restricted Cash on the balance sheet. All pre-petition claims payable from these accounts have been settled and we expect to disburse the cash as soon as the accounts have been reconciled.

Contingent Losses

CONTINGENT LOSSES—We record a liability for a contingent loss when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. We record attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with a contingent loss at the time the fees are incurred. We do not record liabilities for attorneys’ fees that are expected to be incurred in the future.

Asset Retirement Obligations

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS—Asset retirement obligations include legal or contractual obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets, such as requirements to incur costs to dispose of equipment or to remediate the environmental impacts of the normal operation of the assets. We record liabilities for asset retirement obligations when a known obligation exists under current law or contract and when a reasonable estimate of the value of the liability can be made.

Discontinued Operations

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS—We classify a component of our business as a discontinued operation when we commit to a plan to sell the component and believe it is probable that a sale will be completed within one year. A component that is disposed of in a manner other than by sale is classified as discontinued when the component is actually disposed. Investments accounted for under the equity method, or the cost method, do not qualify for treatment as discontinued operations. A component that is disposed of may not qualify for treatment as a discontinued operation if we have significant continuing involvement in the operations of the component after the disposal.

Once a component meets the requirements to be classified as a discontinued operation, previous financial statements are retrospectively adjusted to reflect the component as a discontinued operation for all periods presented. Income and losses of discontinued operations (excluding corporate general and administrative expense allocations) are combined into one line on the consolidated statements of operations. The cash flows from discontinued operations are not separately identified in the consolidated statements of cash flows.

In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08, "Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity," which raises the threshold for a disposal to qualify as a discontinued operation and requires new disclosures of both discontinued operations and certain other disposals that do not meet the definition of a discontinued operation. For public entities, this ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2014, and interim periods within those years. The Company will adopt this guidance in the first quarter of 2015. The impact is not expected to be material.

Revenue Recognition

REVENUE RECOGNITION—Sales of product, as well as gathering and marketing revenues, are recognized at the time title to the product transfers to the purchaser, which typically occurs upon receipt of the product by the purchaser. Terminal and storage revenues are recognized at the time the service is performed. Revenue for the transportation of product is recognized upon delivery of the product to its destination. Certain revenue transactions are reported on a net basis, including derivative instruments considered held for trading purposes and certain buy/sell transactions (see “Purchases and Sales of Inventory with the Same Counterparty”). Other revenue primarily represents operating cost recovery from working interest owners in certain processing plants and is recorded when earned in accordance with the terms of related agreements. Taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are recorded on a net basis (excluded from revenue).

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers", which supersedes nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is to recognize revenues when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 defines a five step process to achieve this core principle and, in doing so, more judgment and estimates may be required within the revenue recognition process than are required under existing U.S. GAAP.

The standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods therein, using either of the following transition methods: (i) a full retrospective approach reflecting the application of the standard in each prior reporting period with the option to elect certain practical expedients, or (ii) a retrospective approach with the cumulative effect of initially adopting ASU 2014-09 recognized at the date of adoption (which includes additional footnote disclosures). We are currently evaluating the impact of our pending adoption of ASU 2014-09 on our consolidated financial statements and have not yet determined the method by which we will adopt the standard in 2017.

Costs of Products Sold

COSTS OF PRODUCTS SOLD—Costs of products sold consists of the cost to purchase the product, the cost to transport the product to the point of sale, and the cost to store the product until it is sold.

Purchases and Sales of Inventory With the Same Counterparty

PURCHASES AND SALES OF INVENTORY WITH THE SAME COUNTERPARTY—We routinely enter into transactions to purchase inventory from, and sell inventory to, the same counterparty. Such transactions that are entered into in contemplation of one another are recorded on a net basis.

Currency Translation

CURRENCY TRANSLATION—The consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars. Our segments operate in four countries, and each segment has identified a “functional currency,” which is the primary currency in the environment in which the segment operates. The functional currencies include the U.S. dollar, the Canadian dollar, the British pound sterling, and the Mexican peso.

At the end of each reporting period, the assets and liabilities of each segment are translated from its functional currency to U.S. dollars using the exchange rate at the end of the month. The monthly results of operations of each segment are generally translated from its functional currency to U.S. dollars using the average exchange rate during the month. Changes in exchange rates result in currency translation gains and losses, which are recorded within other comprehensive income (loss).

Certain segments also enter into transactions in currencies other than their functional currencies. At the end of each reporting period, each segment re-measures the related receivables, payables, and cash to its functional currency using the exchange rate at the end of the period. Changes in exchange rates between the time the transactions were entered into and the end of the reporting period result in currency transaction gains or losses, which are recorded in the consolidated statements of operations.

Income Taxes

INCOME TAXES—Deferred income taxes are accounted for under the liability method, which takes into account the differences between the basis of the assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and amounts recognized for income tax purposes. We record valuation allowances on deferred tax assets when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that the asset will not be recovered.

We monitor uncertain tax positions and we recognize tax benefits only when management believes the relevant tax positions would more likely than not be sustained upon examination. We record any interest and any penalties related to income taxes within income tax expense in the consolidated statements of operations.

In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11, "Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists," which requires an unrecognized tax benefit to be classified as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, except in certain circumstances. For public entities, this ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2013, and interim periods within those years. The Company adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2014. The impact was not material.

Reclassifications

RECLASSIFICATIONS—Certain reclassifications have been made to conform prior year balances to the current year presentation.

Pension Benefits

PENSION BENEFITS—Pension cost and obligations are actuarially determined and are affected by assumptions including expected return on plan assets, discount rates, compensation increases, and employee turnover rates. We evaluate our assumptions periodically and make adjustments to these assumptions and the recorded liability as necessary. Actuarial gains or losses are amortized on a straight-line basis over the expected remaining service life of employees in the pension plan.

Equity-Based Compensation

EQUITY-BASED COMPENSATION—We grant certain of our employees equity-based compensation awards which vest contingent on continued service of the recipient and, in some cases, on their achievement of specific performance targets. We record compensation expense for these outstanding awards over applicable service or performance periods based on their grant date fair value with a corresponding increase to additional paid-in capital. The expense to be recorded over the life of the awards is discounted for expected forfeitures during the vesting period.

Noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries

NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS IN CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES—Noncontrolling interests represents third-party limited partner unitholders' interests in our consolidated subsidiary, Rose Rock. Rose Rock allocates net income to its limited partners based on the distributions pertaining to the current period's available cash as defined by Rose Rock's partnership agreement. After adjusting for the appropriate period's distributions, the remaining undistributed earnings or excess distributions over earnings, if any, are allocated to Rose Rock's general partner, limited partners and participating securities in accordance with the contractual terms of Rose Rock's partnership agreement and as further prescribed under the two-class method. Incentive distribution rights do not participate in undistributed earnings.

Comprehensive Income

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) AND ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)—Comprehensive income (loss) is defined as a change in equity of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources and includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners. Our comprehensive income (loss) consists of currency translation adjustments, changes in the funded status of pension benefit plans and changes in the fair value of interest rate swaps.

On March 4, 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-05, "Parent's Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment Upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets Within a Foreign Entity or of an Investment in a Foreign Entity - a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force”, which indicates that the entire amount of a cumulative translation adjustment ("CTA") related to an entity's investment in a foreign entity should be released when there has been a:

• sale of a subsidiary or group of net assets within a foreign entity and the sale represents the substantially complete liquidation of the investment in the foreign entity;

• loss of a controlling financial interest in an investment in a foreign entity (i.e., the foreign entity is deconsolidated); or

• step acquisition for a foreign entity (i.e., when an entity has changed from applying the equity method for an investment in a foreign entity to consolidating the foreign entity).

The ASU does not change the requirement to release a pro rata portion of the CTA of the foreign entity into earnings for a partial sale of an equity method investment in a foreign entity. For public entities, this ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2013, and interim periods within those years. The Company adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2014. The impact was not material.