Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

(14) Commitments and Contingencies

(a) Change of Control and Severance Agreements

Certain members of our management are parties to severance and change of control agreements with the Operating Partnership. The severance and change in control agreements provide those individuals with severance payments in certain circumstances and prohibit such individuals from, among other things, competing with the General Partner or its affiliates

during his or her employment. In addition, the severance and change of control agreements prohibit subject individuals from, among other things, disclosing confidential information about the General Partner or interfering with a client or customer of the General Partner or its affiliates, in each case during his or her employment and for certain periods (including indefinite periods) following the termination of such person’s employment.

(b) Environmental Issues

The operation of pipelines, plants, and other facilities for the gathering, processing, transmitting, stabilizing, fractionating, storing, or disposing of natural gas, NGLs, crude oil, condensate, brine, and other products is subject to stringent and complex laws and regulations pertaining to health, safety, and the environment. As an owner, partner, or operator of these facilities, we must comply with United States laws and regulations at the federal, state, and local levels that relate to air and water quality, hazardous and solid waste management and disposal, oil spill prevention, climate change, endangered species, and other environmental matters. The cost of planning, designing, constructing, and operating pipelines, plants, and other facilities must account for compliance with environmental laws and regulations and safety standards. Federal, state, or local administrative decisions, developments in the federal or state court systems, or other governmental or judicial actions may influence the interpretation and enforcement of environmental laws and regulations and may thereby increase compliance costs. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may trigger a variety of administrative, civil, and potentially criminal enforcement measures, including citizen suits, which can include the assessment of monetary penalties, the imposition of remedial requirements, and the issuance of injunctions or restrictions on operation. Management believes that, based on currently known information, compliance with these laws and regulations will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition, or cash flows. However, we cannot provide assurance that future events, such as changes in existing laws, regulations, or enforcement policies, the promulgation of new laws or regulations, or the discovery or development of new factual circumstances will not cause us to incur material costs. Environmental regulations have historically become more stringent over time, and thus, there can be no assurance as to the amount or timing of future expenditures for environmental compliance or remediation.

(c) Litigation Contingencies

In February 2021, the areas in which we operate experienced a severe winter storm, with extreme cold, ice, and snow occurring over an unprecedented period of approximately 10 days (“Winter Storm Uri”). As a result of Winter Storm Uri, we have encountered customer billing disputes related to the delivery of gas during the storm, including one that resulted in litigation. The litigation is between one of our subsidiaries, EnLink Gas Marketing, LP (“EnLink Gas”), and Koch Energy Services, LLC (“Koch”) in the 162nd District Court in Dallas County, Texas. The dispute centers on whether EnLink Gas was excused from delivering gas or performing under certain delivery or purchase obligations during Winter Storm Uri, given our declaration of force majeure during the storm. Koch has invoiced us approximately $53.9 million (after subtracting amounts owed to EnLink Gas) and does not recognize the declaration of force majeure. We believe the declaration of force majeure was valid and appropriate and we intend to vigorously defend against Koch’s claims.

Another of our subsidiaries, EnLink Energy GP, LLC, is also involved in litigation arising out of Winter Storm Uri. This matter is a multi-district litigation currently pending in Harris County, Texas, in which multiple individual plaintiffs assert personal injury and property damage claims arising out of Winter Storm Uri against an aggregate of over 350 power generators, transmission/distribution utility, retail electric provider, and natural gas defendants across over 150 filed cases. We believe the claims against our subsidiary lack merit and we intend to vigorously defend against such claims.

In addition, we are involved in various litigation and administrative proceedings arising in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, any liabilities that may result from these claims would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. We may also be involved from time to time in the future in various proceedings in the normal course of business, including litigation on disputes related to contracts, property rights, property use or damage (including nuisance claims), personal injury, or the value of pipeline easements or other rights obtained through the exercise of eminent domain or common carrier rights.