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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Signifcant Accounting Policies
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
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 and amortization; (3) estimated fair values 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 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.
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.
In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-13, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments", which introduces new guidance for estimating credit losses on certain types of financial instruments based on expected losses and the timing of the recognition of such losses. For public entities, this ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those years and early adoption is permitted in the year prior to the effective date. We will adopt this guidance in the first quarter of 2020. The impact is not expected to be material.
INVENTORIES—Inventories primarily consist of crude oil and asphalt. Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value, 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.
In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, “Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory”, which requires that inventory within the scope of the guidance be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value rather than the lower of cost or market. We adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2017. The impact was not material.
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 in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
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 using 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—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—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—We test goodwill for impairment on an annual basis, or more often if circumstances warrant, by estimating the fair value of the reporting unit to which the goodwill relates and comparing this fair value to the net book value of the reporting unit. If fair value is less than net book value, we reduce the book value accordingly and record a corresponding impairment loss. Our policy is to test goodwill for impairment on October 1 of each year.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment”, which removes Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Under the amended guidance, an entity should perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit
with its carrying amount. An entity should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. We adopted this guidance in the third quarter of 2017 in conjunction with the impairment test of our Field Services business unit. See Note 11 for information related to the impairment of Field Services goodwill and intangible assets.
FINITE-LIVED INTANGIBLE ASSETS—Finite-lived 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—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.
We assess our equity method investments for impairment when circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable and record an impairment when a decline in value is considered to be other than temporary.
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—Costs incurred in connection with the issuance of long-term debt are reported as a reduction to the carrying value of the associated debt instrument 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.
Capitalized loan fees related to our revolving credit facility are presented as other noncurrent assets.
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 12, the fair value of commodity derivatives at December 31, 2017 and 2016 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.
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 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.
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 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, who are also customers, 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”, as amended, 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 permits 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 will use a retrospective approach with the cumulative effect of initially adopting ASU 2014-09 recognized at the date of adoption, January 1, 2018.
We have identified certain areas of impact including:
We have certain natural gas gathering and processing agreements for which we provide gathering and processing services to the producer and market the gas to third-parties. Historically, we have accounted for these transactions as purchases at the wellhead and recorded the service fees as a reduction of cost of sales. Under ASU 2014-09, we expect some of these agreements to be treated as purchases at the wellhead and some to be treated as services with a purchase at the processing plant tailgate, depending on when we obtain control of the product. This change will not impact gross margin but will lead to higher revenue and cost of sales for transactions where control is deemed to pass at the plant tailgate.
In addition, certain contractual arrangements include “take-or-pay” provisions. The fixed fees to which we have an unconditional right under these contracts could be subject to certain recognition changes. Under our current policies, revenues related to certain “take-or-pay” deficiency payments received from customers are deferred until the contractual right to make up volumetric deficiencies has expired. Under ASU 2014-09, these revenues will be recognized when make up of the volumetric deficiencies is no longer considered probable. Deferred revenues related to these agreements at December 31, 2017, which will then be recognized through retained earnings at adoption, is not material.
Approximately $10.0 million of incremental costs of obtaining contracts, which was expensed in prior periods, will be capitalized through an adjustment to retained earnings. These costs will be amortized over approximately 20 years to match the tenor of the underlying agreements.
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—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—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—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 November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes”, which requires all deferred tax assets and liabilities to be classified as noncurrent in the statement of financial position. For public entities, this ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those years. The new guidance may be applied prospectively or retrospectively and early adoption is permitted. We adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2017. Prior periods were not retrospectively adjusted and the impact was not material.
In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory”, which requires an entity to recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. For public entities, this ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those years and early adoption is permitted in the year prior to the effective date. We will adopt this guidance in the first quarter of 2018. The impact is not expected to be material.
In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, “Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income”, which allows a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. For public entities, this ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those years and early adoption is permitted in the year prior to the effective date. We will adopt this guidance in the first quarter of 2019. The amendments in this Update should be applied either in the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period (or periods) in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is recognized. The impact is not expected to be material.
RECLASSIFICATIONS—Certain reclassifications have been made to conform prior year balances to the current year presentation.
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.
In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, “Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Post-retirement Benefit Cost”, which requires that an employer disaggregate the service cost component from other components of net benefit cost. This ASU also provides explicit guidance on how to present the service cost component and the other components of net benefit cost in the income statement and allows only the service cost component of net benefit cost to be eligible for capitalization. For public entities, this ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those years. We will adopt this guidance in the first quarter of 2018. The impact is not expected to be material.
EQUITY-BASED COMPENSATION—We grant certain of our employees and non-managerial directors equity-based compensation awards which vest contingent on continued service of the recipient and, in some cases, on their achievement of specific performance targets or market conditions. 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.
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, “Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting’’, which simplifies several aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification in the statement of cash flows. For public entities, this ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those years and early adoption is permitted. We adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2017. We recorded adjustments of $2.1 million and $1.7 million to “accumulated deficit” and “additional paid-in capital”, respectively, upon adoption offset by changes to our income tax liabilities.
In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, “Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting”, to provide clarity and reduce diversity in practice in determining which changes to terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting under Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718. For public entities, this ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those years. We will adopt this guidance in the first quarter of 2018. The impact is not expected to be material.
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) includes currency translation adjustments and changes in the funded status of pension benefit plans.
OTHER RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS—In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (a consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force)”, to reduce diversity in practice in how certain transactions are classified in the statement of cash flows. The update addresses eight different transaction types and clarifies how to classify each in the statement of cash flows, where previously there was unclear or no specific guidance. For public entities, this ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those years and early adoption is permitted in the year prior to the effective date. We will adopt this guidance in the first quarter of 2018. The impact is not expected to be material.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)”, which amends the existing lease guidance to require lessees to recognize assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for the rights and obligations created by operating and finance leases and to disclose additional quantitative and qualitative information about leasing arrangements. This ASU also provides clarifications surrounding the presentation of the effects of leases in the income statement and statement of cash flows. For public entities, this ASU will be effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those years. The new guidance will be applied using a modified retrospective approach and early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-02 on our consolidated financial statements, but are not yet able to quantify the impact. We continue to monitor FASB activity related to this ASU and have engaged with various peer groups to assess certain interpretive issues related to this ASU. We will adopt this guidance in the first quarter of 2019.