The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires our management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

We generate the majority of our revenues from midstream energy services, including gathering, transmission, processing, fractionation, storage, condensate stabilization, brine services, and marketing, through various contractual arrangements, which include fee-based contract arrangements or arrangements where we purchase and resell commodities in connection with providing the related service and earn a net margin for our fee. While our transactions vary in form, the essential element of most of our transactions is the use of our assets to transport a product or provide a processed product to an end-user or marketer at the tailgate of the plant, pipeline, or barge, truck, or rail terminal. Revenues from both “Product sales” and “Midstream services” represent revenues from contracts with customers and are reflected on the consolidated statements of operations as follows:

The identification of performance obligations under our contracts requires a contract-by-contract evaluation of when control, including the economic benefit, of commodities transfers to and from us (if at all). For contracts where control of commodities transfers to us before we perform our services, we generally have no performance obligation for our services, and accordingly, we do not consider these revenue-generating contracts. Based on the control determination, all contractually-stated fees that are deducted from our payments to producers or other suppliers for commodities purchased are reflected as a reduction in the cost of such commodity purchases. Alternatively, for contracts where control of commodities transfers to us after we perform our services, we consider these contracts to contain performance obligations for our services. Accordingly, we consider the satisfaction of these performance obligations as revenue-generating and recognize the fees received for satisfying them as midstream services revenues over time as we satisfy our performance obligations. For contracts where control of commodities never transfers to us and we simply earn a fee for our services, we recognize these fees as midstream services revenues over time as we satisfy our performance obligations.

We also evaluate our contractual arrangements that contain a purchase and sale of commodities under the principal/agent provisions in ASC 606. For contracts where we possess control of the commodity and act as principal in the purchase and sale, we record product sales revenue at the price at which the commodities are sold, with a corresponding cost of sales equal to the cost of the commodities when purchased. For contracts in which we do not possess control of the commodity and are acting as an agent, our consolidated statements of operations only reflect midstream services revenues that we earn based on the fees contained in the applicable contract.

For NGL contracts in which we purchase raw mix NGLs and subsequently transport, fractionate, and market the NGLs, we consider the contractually-stated fees to serve as pricing mechanisms that reduce the cost of the commodities purchased. We account for the contractually-stated fees on the consolidated statements of operations as a reduction of cost of sales of such commodities purchased upon receipt of the raw mix NGLs, because we determined that the control, including the economic benefit, of commodities has passed to us once the raw mix NGLs have been purchased from the customer. Upon sale of the NGLs to a third-party customer, we record product sales revenue at the price at which the commodities are sold, with a corresponding cost of sales equal to the cost of the commodities purchased.

For our natural gas gathering and processing contracts in which we perform midstream services and also purchase the natural gas, we determine if economic control of the commodities has passed from the producer to us before or after we perform our services (if at all). Control is assessed on a contract-by-contract basis by analyzing each contract’s provisions, which can include provisions for: the customer to take its residue gas and/or NGLs in-kind; fixed or actual NGL or keep-whole recovery; commodity purchase prices at weighted average sales price or market index-based pricing; and various other contract-specific considerations. Based on this control assessment, our gathering and processing contracts fall into two primary categories:

•For gathering and processing contracts in which there is a commodity purchase and analysis of the contract provisions indicates that control, including the economic benefit, of the natural gas passes to us when the natural gas is brought into our system, we do not consider these contracts to contain performance obligations for our services. As control of the natural gas passes to us prior to performing our gathering and processing services, we are, in effect, performing our services for our own benefit. Based on this control determination, we consider the contractually-stated fees to serve as pricing mechanisms that reduce the cost of such commodity purchased upon receipt of the natural gas, rather than being recorded as midstream services revenue. Upon sale of the residue gas and/or NGLs to a third-party customer, we record product sales revenue at the price at which the commodities are sold, with a corresponding cost of sales equal to the cost of the commodities purchased, net of fees.

For midstream service contracts related to NGL, crude oil, or natural gas gathering and processing in which there is no commodity purchase or control of the commodity never passes to us and we simply earn a fee for our services, we consider these contracts to contain performance obligations for our services. Accordingly, we consider the satisfaction of these performance obligations as revenue-generating, and we recognize the fees received for satisfying these performance obligations as midstream services revenue over time as we satisfy our performance obligations.

We also evaluate our commodity marketing contracts, under which we purchase and sell commodities in connection with our gas, NGL, and crude and condensate midstream services, pursuant to ASC 606, including the principal/agent provisions. For contracts in which we possess control of the commodity and act as principal in the purchase and sale of commodities, we record product sales revenue at the price at which the commodities are sold, with a corresponding cost of sales equal to the cost of the commodities when purchased. For contracts in which we do not possess control of the commodity and are acting as agent, our consolidated statements of operations only reflect midstream services revenues that we earn based on the fees contained in the applicable contract.

For our commodity sales contracts, we satisfy our performance obligations at the point in time at which the commodity transfers from us to the customer. This transfer pattern aligns with our billing methodology. Therefore, we recognize product sales revenue at the time the commodity is delivered and in the amount to which we have the right to invoice the customer. For our midstream service contracts that contain revenue-generating performance obligations, we satisfy our performance obligations over time as we perform the midstream service and as the customer receives the benefit of these services over the term of the contract. We recognize revenue in the amount to which the entity has a right to invoice, since we have a right to consideration from our customer in an amount that corresponds directly with the value to the customer of our performance completed to date. Accordingly, we continue to recognize revenue over time as our midstream services are performed.

We generally accrue one month of sales and the related natural gas, NGL, condensate, and crude oil purchases and reverse these accruals when the sales and purchases are invoiced and recorded in the subsequent month. Actual results could differ from the accrual estimates. We typically receive payment for invoiced amounts within one month, depending on the terms of the contract. Prior to issuing our financial statements, we review our revenue and purchases estimates based on available information to determine if adjustments are required. We account for taxes collected from customers attributable to revenue transactions and remitted to government authorities on a net basis (excluded from revenues).

Certain of our gathering and processing agreements provide for quarterly or annual MVCs. Under these agreements, our customers or suppliers agree to ship and/or process a minimum volume of product on our systems over an agreed time period. If a customer or supplier under such an agreement fails to meet its MVC for a specified period, the customer is obligated to pay a contractually-determined fee based upon the shortfall between actual product volumes and the MVC for that period. Some of these agreements also contain make-up right provisions that allow a customer or supplier to utilize gathering or processing fees in excess of the MVC in subsequent periods to offset shortfall amounts in previous periods. We record revenue under MVC contracts during periods of shortfall when it is known that the customer cannot, or will not, make up the deficiency in subsequent periods. Deficiency fee revenue is included in midstream services revenue.

The following table summarizes the contractually committed fees that we expect to recognize in our consolidated statements of operations, in either revenue or reductions to cost of sales, from MVC and firm transportation contractual provisions. All amounts in the table below are determined using the contractually-stated MVC or firm transportation volumes specified for each period multiplied by the relevant deficiency or reservation fee. Actual amounts could differ due to the timing of revenue recognition or reductions to cost of sales resulting from make-up right provisions included in our agreements, as well as due to nonpayment or nonperformance by our customers. These fees do not represent the shortfall amounts we expect to collect under our MVC contracts, as we generally do not expect volume shortfalls to equal the full amount of the contractual MVCs during these periods. For example, for the year ended December 31, 2020, we had contractual commitments of $174.3 million under our MVC contracts and recorded $57.2 million of revenue due to volume shortfalls.

In late May 2019, White Star, the counterparty to our $58.0 million second lien secured term loan receivable, filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Under the original term loan agreement executed in May 2018, White Star was scheduled to make an installment payment of $19.5 million in April 2019. In November 2018 and again in February 2019, we amended the installment payment terms with the result that the single 2019 installment payment was split into two payments of $9.75 million in May 2019 and $10.75 million in October 2019. White Star defaulted on its May 2019 installment payment prior to filing for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. In November 2019, White Star sold its assets and we did not recover any amounts then owed to us under the second lien secured term loan. As a result, we have recorded a $52.9 million loss in our consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2019, which represents a full write-down of the second lien secured term loan.

Quantities of natural gas and NGLs over-delivered or under-delivered related to imbalance agreements are recorded monthly as receivables or payables using weighted average prices at the time of the imbalance. These imbalances are typically settled with deliveries of natural gas or NGLs. We had imbalance payables of $6.1 million and $5.7 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, which approximate the fair value of these imbalances. We had imbalance receivables of $7.5 million and $6.4 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, which are carried at the lower of cost or market value. Imbalance receivables and imbalance payables are included in the line items “Accrued revenue and other” and “Accrued gas, NGLs, condensate, and crude oil purchases,” respectively, on the consolidated balance sheets.

We account for deferred income taxes related to the federal and state jurisdictions using the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets are also recognized for the future tax benefits attributable to the expected utilization of existing tax net operating loss carryforwards and other types of carryforwards. If the future utilization of some portion of carryforwards is determined to be unlikely, a valuation allowance is provided to reduce the recorded tax benefits from such assets. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences and carryforwards are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. In the event interest or penalties are incurred with respect to income tax matters, our policy will be to include such items in income tax expense. We record deferred tax assets and liabilities on a net basis on the consolidated balance sheets, with deferred tax assets included in “Other assets, net” and deferred tax liabilities included in “Deferred tax liability, net.”

Property and equipment are stated at historical cost less accumulated depreciation. Assets acquired in a business combination are recorded at fair value. Routine repairs and maintenance are charged against income when incurred. Renewals and improvements that extend the useful life or improve the function of the properties are capitalized. Interest costs for material projects are capitalized to property and equipment during the period the assets are undergoing preparation for intended use.


	Year Ended December 31,
	2020		2019
Transmission assets	$	1,410.5	$	1,376.5
Gathering systems	4,782.9		4,856.5
Gas processing plants	4,082.1		3,862.2
Other property and equipment	161.0		188.0
Construction in process	78.6		216.7
Property and equipment	10,515.1		10,499.9
Accumulated depreciation	(3,863.0)		(3,418.6)
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	$	6,652.1	$	7,081.3

Gain or Loss on Disposition. Upon the disposition or retirement of property and equipment, any gain or loss is recognized in operating income in the consolidated statements of operations. For the year ended December 31, 2020, we disposed of assets with a net book value of $36.4 million, and these dispositions primarily related to the sale of certain non-core assets. This decrease in book value was offset by $27.6 million of proceeds from the sale of property, resulting in a $8.8 million loss on disposition of assets in the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2020.

For the year ended December 31, 2019, we disposed of assets with a net book value of $12.4 million. These dispositions primarily related to the sale of certain non-core assets. This decrease in book value was offset by $14.3 million of proceeds from the sale of property, resulting in $1.9 million gain on disposition of assets in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2019.

For the year ended December 31, 2018, we disposed of assets with a net book value of $2.1 million. These dispositions primarily related to vehicle retirements and retirements due to compressor fire damage. This decrease in book value was offset by $1.7 million of proceeds from the sale of property, resulting in $0.4 million loss on disposition of assets in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Impairment Review. In accordance with ASC 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment, we evaluate long-lived assets of identifiable business activities for potential impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable. The carrying amount of a long-lived asset is not recoverable when it exceeds the undiscounted sum of the future cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. Estimates of expected future cash flows represent management’s best estimate based on reasonable and supportable assumptions. When the carrying amount of a long-lived asset is not recoverable, an impairment is recognized equal to the excess of the asset’s carrying value over its fair value, which is based on inputs that are not observable in the market, and thus represent Level 3 inputs.

The amount of availability of natural gas, NGLs, crude oil, and condensate to an asset is sometimes based on assumptions regarding future drilling activity, which may be dependent in part on natural gas, NGL, crude oil, and condensate prices. Projections of natural gas, NGL, crude oil, and condensate volumes and future commodity prices are inherently subjective and contingent upon a number of variable factors, including but not limited to:

For the year ended December 31, 2020, we recognized a $168.0 million impairment on property and equipment related to a portion of our Louisiana reporting segment because the carrying amounts were not recoverable based on our expected future cash flows, and $3.4 million of impairments related to certain cancelled projects.

For the year ended December 31, 2018, we determined that the undiscounted cash flows for two of our assets were not in excess of their carrying values. We estimated the fair values of these assets and determined that their fair values were not in excess of their carrying values, which resulted in impairments on property and equipment of $24.6 million related to certain non-core natural gas pipeline assets in the Louisiana segment and $109.2 million related to non-core crude pipeline assets in the Permian segment.

Comprehensive income (loss) is composed of net income (loss) and the effective portion of gains or losses on derivative financial instruments that qualify as cash flow hedges pursuant to ASC 815. For additional information about the effect of financial instruments on comprehensive income (loss), see “Note 12—Derivatives.”

We account for investments where we do not control the investment but have the ability to exercise significant influence using the equity method of accounting. Under this method, unconsolidated affiliate investments are initially carried at the acquisition cost, increased by our proportionate share of the investee’s net income and by contributions made, and decreased by our proportionate share of the investee’s net losses and by distributions received.

We evaluate our unconsolidated affiliate investments for potential impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the investments may not be recoverable. We recognize impairments of our investments as a loss from unconsolidated affiliates on our consolidated statements of operations.

We account for investments where we control the investment using the consolidation method of accounting. Under this method, we consolidate all the assets and liabilities of an investment on our consolidated balance sheets and record non-controlling interest for the portion of the investment that we do not own. We include all of an investment’s results of operations on our consolidated statements of operations and record income attributable to non-controlling interests for the portion of the investment that we do not own.

Our non-controlling interests for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 relate to the Series B Preferred Units, the Series C Preferred Units, NGP’s 49.9% ownership of the Delaware Basin JV, Marathon Petroleum Corporation’s 50.0% ownership interest in the Ascension JV, and other minor non-controlling interests. For periods prior to the Merger, our non-controlling interests also included ENLK’s public common unitholders.

Goodwill is the cost of an acquisition less the fair value of the net identifiable assets of the acquired business. We evaluated goodwill for impairment annually as of October 31 and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicated it was more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit was less than its carrying amount. For additional information regarding our previous assessments of goodwill for impairment, see “Note 3—Goodwill and Intangible Assets.”

Intangible assets associated with customer relationships are amortized on a straight-line basis over the expected period of benefits of the customer relationships, which range from ten to twenty years. In accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other, we evaluate intangibles for potential impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable. For additional information regarding our intangible assets, including our assessment of intangible assets for impairment, see “Note 3—Goodwill and Intangible Assets.”

We recognize liabilities for retirement obligations associated with our pipelines and processing and fractionation facilities. Such liabilities are recognized when there is a legal obligation associated with the retirement of the assets and the amount can be reasonably estimated. The initial measurement of an asset retirement obligation is recorded as a liability at its fair value, with an offsetting asset retirement cost recorded as an increase to the associated property and equipment. If the fair value of a recorded asset retirement obligation changes, a revision is recorded to both the asset retirement obligation and the asset retirement cost. Our retirement obligations include estimated environmental remediation costs that arise from normal operations and are associated with the retirement of the long-lived assets. The asset retirement cost is depreciated using the straight-line depreciation method similar to that used for the associated property and equipment.

Effective January 1, 2019, we adopted ASC 842, Leases, using the modified retrospective approach whereby we recognized leases on our consolidated balance sheet by recording a right-of-use asset and lease liability. We applied certain practical expedients that were allowed in the adoption of ASC 842, including not reassessing existing contracts for lease arrangements, not reassessing existing lease classification, not recording a right-of-use asset or lease liability for leases of twelve months or less, and not separating lease and non-lease components of a lease arrangement. In connection with the adoption of ASC 842 in January 2019, we recorded a lease liability of $97.6 million, a right-of-use asset of $75.3 million, and a reduction of $22.6 million in other liabilities previously recorded related to lease incentives.

We evaluate new contracts at inception to determine if the contract conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for periodic payments. A lease exists if we obtain substantially all of the economic benefits of an asset, and we have the right to direct the use of that asset. When a lease exists, we record a right-of-use asset that represents our right to use the asset over the lease term and a lease liability that represents our obligation to make payments over the lease term. Lease liabilities are recorded at the sum of future lease payments discounted by the collateralized rate we could obtain to lease a similar asset over a similar period, and right-of-use assets are recorded equal to the corresponding lease liability, plus any prepaid or direct costs incurred to enter the lease, less the cost of any incentives received from the lessor. For more information, see “Note 5—Leases.”

We use derivative instruments to hedge against changes in cash flows related to product price. We generally determine the fair value of swap contracts based on the difference between the derivative’s fixed contract price and the underlying market price at the determination date. The asset or liability related to the derivative instruments is recorded on the balance sheet at the fair value of derivative assets or liabilities in accordance with ASC 815. Changes in fair value of derivative instruments are recorded in gain or loss on derivative activity in the period of change.

LIBOR-based variable interest through December 2021. Assets or liabilities related to these interest rate swap contracts are included in the fair value of derivative assets and liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets, and the change in fair value of this contract is recorded net as gain or loss on designated cash flow hedges on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Monthly, upon settlement, we reclassify the gain or loss associated with the interest rate swaps into interest expense from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). There is no ineffectiveness related to this hedge. In December 2020, in connection with the partial repayment of the Term Loan, we terminated $500.0 million of the $850.0 million interest rate swaps and settled the outstanding derivative liability of $10.9 million. For additional information, see “Note 12—Derivatives.”

Financial instruments, which potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk, consist primarily of trade accounts receivable and commodity financial instruments. Management believes the risk is limited, other than our exposure to significant customers discussed below, since our customers represent a broad and diverse group of energy marketers and end users.

The following customers individually represented greater than 10% of our consolidated revenues. These customers represent a significant percentage of revenues, and the loss of the customer would have a material adverse impact on our results of operations because the revenues and adjusted gross margin received from transactions with these customers is material to us. No other customers represented greater than 10% of our consolidated revenues.

We continually monitor and review the credit exposure of our counter-parties based on various credit quality indicators and metrics. We obtain letters of credit or other appropriate security when considered necessary to limit the risk of loss. We record reserves for uncollectible accounts on a specific identification basis since there is not a large volume of late paying customers and we do not expect to experience significant levels of default on our trade accounts receivable. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, we had a reserve for uncollectible receivables of $0.5 million for each period, respectively.

Environmental expenditures are expensed or capitalized depending on the nature of the expenditures and the future economic benefit. Expenditures that relate to an existing condition caused by past operations that do not contribute to current or future revenue generation are expensed. Liabilities for these expenditures are recorded on an undiscounted basis (or a discounted basis when the obligation can be settled at fixed and determinable amounts) when environmental assessments or clean-ups are probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated. Environmental expenditures were not material for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018.

We recognize compensation cost related to all unit-based awards in our consolidated financial statements in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”). Unit-based compensation associated with ENLC’s unit-based compensation plans awarded to directors, officers, and employees of the General Partner is recorded by ENLK since ENLC has no substantial or managed operating activities other than its interests in ENLK. For additional information, see “Note 11—Employee Incentive Plans.”

Liabilities for loss contingencies arising from claims, assessments, litigation, or other sources are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Legal costs incurred in connection with a loss contingency are expensed as incurred. For additional information, see “Note 14—Commitments and Contingencies.”

Costs incurred in connection with the issuance of long-term debt are deferred and amortized into interest expense using the straight-line method over the term of the related debt. Gains or losses on debt repurchases, redemptions, and debt extinguishments include any associated unamortized debt issue costs. Unamortized debt issuance costs totaling $32.6 million and $29.8 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, are included in “Long-term debt” or “Current maturities of long-term debt,” as applicable, on the consolidated balance sheets as a direct reduction from the carrying amount of the debt.

Non-controlling interests that contain an option for the non-controlling interest holder to require us to purchase such interests for cash are considered to be redeemable non-controlling interests because the redemption feature is not deemed to be a freestanding financial instrument and because the redemption is not solely within our control. Redeemable non-controlling interests are not considered to be a component of members’ equity and are reported as temporary equity in the mezzanine section on the consolidated balance sheets. The amount recorded as redeemable non-controlling interest at each balance sheet date is the greater of the redemption value and the carrying value of the redeemable non-controlling interest (the initial carrying value increased or decreased for the non-controlling interest holder’s share of net income or loss and distributions). When the redemption feature is exercised the redemption value of the non-controlling interest is reclassified to a liability on the consolidated balance sheets.

During the first quarter of 2020, the non-controlling interest holder in one of our non-wholly owned subsidiaries exercised its option to require us to purchase its remaining interest. We have recorded an estimated $4.0 million related to the redemption of the non-controlling interest included in “Other current liabilities” on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2020, but we have not yet agreed to a redemption value with the non-controlling interest holder.

Effective January 1, 2020, we adopted ASU 2018-15, Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract (“ASU 2018-15”), which amends ASC 350-40, Internal-Use Software (“ASC 350-40”) to address a customer’s accounting for implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract. ASU 2018-15 aligns the accounting for costs incurred to implement a cloud computing arrangement that is a service arrangement with the guidance on capitalizing costs associated with developing or obtaining internal-use software. Specifically, the ASU amends ASC 350-40 to include in its scope implementation costs of a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract and clarifies that a customer should apply ASC 350-40 to determine which implementation costs should be capitalized in a cloud computing arrangement that is considered a service contract. To the extent costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement are capitalizable, the corresponding amortization will be included in “Operating expenses” or “General and administrative” in the consolidated statements of operations, rather than “Depreciation and amortization.” The amortization related to cloud computing arrangements was not material for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Effective January 1, 2020, we adopted ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326). The updates in ASU 2016-13 provide financial statement users with more information about the expected credit losses on financial instruments and other commitments to extend credit held by a reporting entity at each reporting date. Following the adoption of ASU 2016-13, we record an allowance for doubtful accounts based on our expectation of future losses. Because our receivables are typically paid within 30 days, and because we closely monitor the credit-worthiness of all our counterparties, adopting ASU 2016-13 did not have a material effect on our financial statements. However, in the event we foresee further or sustained deterioration in the current market environment, or other factors indicating an increased likelihood of defaults by our customers, we may recognize additional losses.