XML 43 R29.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.25.0.1
Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2024
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Description Of Business
Description of Business
Westlake Chemical Partners LP (the "Partnership") is a Delaware limited partnership formed in March 2014 to operate, acquire and develop ethylene production facilities and related assets. On August 4, 2014, the Partnership completed its initial public offering (the "IPO") of 12,937,500 common units representing limited partner interests.
In connection with the IPO, the Partnership acquired a 10.6% limited partner interest in Westlake Chemical OpCo LP ("OpCo") and a 100% interest in Westlake Chemical OpCo GP LLC ("OpCo GP"), which is the general partner of OpCo. OpCo owns three ethylene production facilities and one common carrier ethylene pipeline (collectively, the "Contributed Assets"). Since the IPO, the Partnership has periodically purchased additional limited partner interest in OpCo. Most recently, on March 29, 2019, the Partnership purchased an additional 4.5% newly-issued limited partner interest in OpCo for approximately $201,445, resulting in an aggregate 22.8% limited partner interest in OpCo, effective January 1, 2019. The remaining 77.2% limited partner interest in OpCo is owned by Westlake Corporation. References to "Westlake" refer collectively to Westlake Corporation and its subsidiaries, other than the Partnership, OpCo and OpCo GP.
OpCo and Westlake entered into an ethylene sales agreement (the "Ethylene Sales Agreement") pursuant to which the Partnership generates a substantial majority of its revenue. For more information, see Note 2.
The Partnership sells ethylene production in excess of volumes sold to Westlake, as well as all of the co-products resulting from the ethylene production, including propylene, crude butadiene, pyrolysis gasoline and hydrogen, directly to third parties on either a spot or contract basis. Co-products sold to third parties are transported by rail or truck. Net proceeds (after transportation and other costs) from the sales of ethylene co-products that result from the production of ethylene purchased by Westlake are netted against the ethylene price charged to Westlake under the Ethylene Sales Agreement, thereby reducing the Partnership's exposure to fluctuations in the market prices of these co-products.
Basis of Presentation
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
The Partnership holds a 22.8% limited partner interest and the entire non-economic general partner interest in OpCo. The remaining 77.2% limited partner interest in OpCo is owned directly by Westlake, which has no rights to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of OpCo. As a result of the fact that substantially all of OpCo's activities are conducted on behalf of Westlake, and the fact that OpCo exhibits disproportionality of voting rights to economic interest, OpCo was deemed to be a variable interest entity. The Partnership, through its ownership of OpCo's general partner, has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of OpCo, and it also has the obligation or right to absorb losses or receive benefits from OpCo that could potentially be significant to OpCo. As such, the Partnership was determined to be OpCo's primary beneficiary and therefore consolidates OpCo's results of operations and financial position. The Partnership's operations consist exclusively of the variable interest entity's operations and, as such, no additional variable interest entity disclosures are considered necessary. Westlake's retained interest of 77.2% is recorded as noncontrolling interest in the Partnership's consolidated financial statements.
Cash And Cash Equivalents
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments that are readily convertible into cash and have a maturity of three months or less at the date of acquisition.
Allowance For Doubtful Accounts
Allowance for Credit Losses
The determination of the allowance for credit losses is based on estimation of the amount of accounts receivable that the Partnership believes are unlikely to be collected. Estimating this amount requires analysis of the financial strength of the Partnership's customers, the use of historical experience, the Partnership's accounts receivable aged trial balance, customer specific collectability analysis and an evaluation of economic conditions. The allowance for credit losses is reviewed quarterly. Past due balances over 90 days and high risk accounts, as determined by the analysis of financial strength of customers, are reviewed individually for collectability.
Inventories
Inventories
Inventories primarily include product, material and supplies. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out ("FIFO") or average method.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Cost includes expenditures for improvements and betterments that extend the useful lives of the assets and interest capitalized on significant capital projects.
Interest expense is capitalized for qualifying assets under construction. Capitalized interest costs are included in property, plant and equipment and are depreciated over the useful life of the related asset. Capitalized interest was $197, $164 and $80 for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Repair and maintenance costs are charged to operations as incurred. Gains and losses on the disposal or retirement of property, plant and equipment are reflected in the statement of operations when the assets are sold or retired.
The accounting guidance for asset retirement obligations requires the recording of liabilities equal to the fair value of asset retirement obligations and corresponding additional asset costs, when there is a legal asset retirement obligation as a result of existing or enacted law, statute or contract. The Partnership has conditional asset retirement obligations for the removal and disposal of hazardous materials from certain of the Partnership's manufacturing facilities. However, no asset retirement obligations have been recognized because the fair value of the conditional legal obligation cannot be measured due to the indeterminate settlement date of the obligation. Settlement of these conditional asset retirement obligations is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Partnership's financial condition, results of operations or cash flows in any individual reporting period.
Impairment Of Long-Lived Assets and Intangible Assets
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The accounting guidance for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets requires that the Partnership assess long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable, including when negative conditions such as significant current or projected operating losses exist. Other factors considered by the Partnership when determining if an impairment assessment is necessary include, but are not limited to, significant changes or projected changes in supply and demand fundamentals (which would have a negative impact on operating rates or margins), new technological developments, new competitors with significant raw material or other cost advantages, adverse changes associated with the United States and world economies and uncertainties associated with governmental actions. Long-lived assets assessed for impairment are grouped by asset group, the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets and liabilities. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset group. Assets are considered to be impaired if the carrying amount of an asset exceeds the future undiscounted cash flows. The impairment recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or estimated fair value less costs to sell.
Impairment of Goodwill
The accounting guidance requires that goodwill be tested for impairment at least annually, or when events or changes in circumstances indicate the fair value of a reporting unit with goodwill has been reduced below its carrying amount. The impairment test for the recorded goodwill was performed in the fourth quarter of 2024 and did not indicate impairment of the goodwill. As of December 31, 2024, the Partnership's recorded goodwill was $5,814. See Note 6 for more information on the Partnership's annual goodwill impairment test.
Turnaround Costs
Turnaround Costs
The Partnership accounts for turnaround costs under the deferral method. Turnarounds are the scheduled and required shutdowns of specific operating units in order to perform planned major maintenance activities. The costs related to the significant overhaul and refurbishment activities include maintenance materials, parts and direct labor costs. The costs of the turnaround are deferred when incurred at the time of the turnaround and amortized (within depreciation and amortization) on a straight-line basis until the next planned turnaround, which typically ranges from five to eight years. Deferred turnaround costs are presented as a component of deferred charges and other assets, net. The cash outflows related to these costs are included in operating activities in the consolidated statement of cash flows.
Concentration Of Credit Risk
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments which potentially subject the Partnership to concentration of risk consist principally of trade receivables from third-party customers who purchase ethylene and ethylene co-products. The Partnership performs periodic credit evaluations, as applicable, of the customers' financial condition and generally does not require collateral. The Partnership maintains allowances for potential losses, as applicable.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue Recognition
Revenue is recognized when OpCo transfers control of inventories to customers. Amounts recognized as revenues reflect the consideration to which OpCo expects to be entitled in exchange for those inventories. The Partnership and OpCo incorporate production volume and production cost forecasts in the estimated transaction prices from sales to Westlake under the Ethylene Sales Agreement.
The Partnership recognizes revenue and accounts receivable upon transferring control of inventories to its customers. Ethylene sold to Westlake under the Ethylene Sales Agreement is transferred to Westlake immediately after production and recognized in sales. Control of inventories sold to third parties generally transfers upon shipment to the customer. The Partnership excludes taxes collected on behalf of customers from the estimated contract price. Provisions for discounts, rebates and returns are incorporated in the estimate of variable consideration and reflected as reduction to revenue in the same period as the related sales.
The Partnership does not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations because its contracts with customers (1) have an original expected duration of one year or less or (2) have only variable consideration that is calculated based on market prices at a specified date and is allocated to wholly unsatisfied performance obligations.
The Partnership generates a substantial majority of its revenue from sales to Westlake under the Ethylene Sales Agreement. The Ethylene Sales Agreement is intended to generate a long-term, fixed cash margin per pound. See Note 2 for a description of the terms of the Ethylene Sales Agreement. The Partnership's direct commodity price risk is limited to the sales to third parties. See the Partnership's consolidated statements of operations for the disaggregation of net sales to Westlake and net sales to third parties.
Transportation and Freight
Transportation and Freight
Amounts billed to customers for freight and handling costs on outbound shipments are included in net sales in the consolidated statements of operations. Transportation and freight costs incurred by the Partnership on outbound shipments are included in cost of sales in the consolidated statements of operations.
Environmental Costs
Environmental Costs
Environmental costs relating to current operations are expensed or capitalized, as appropriate, depending on whether such costs provide future economic benefits. Remediation liabilities are recognized when the costs are considered probable and can be reasonably estimated. Measurement of liabilities is based on currently enacted laws and regulations, existing technology and undiscounted site-specific costs. Environmental liabilities in connection with properties that are sold or closed are realized upon such sale or closure, to the extent they are probable and estimable and not previously reserved. Recognition of any joint and several liabilities is based upon the Partnership's best estimate of its final pro rata share of the liability.
Income Taxes
Income Taxes
The Partnership is a limited partnership and is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes and, therefore, is not liable for entity-level federal income taxes. The Partnership is, however, subject to state and local income taxes. Deferred tax expense or benefit is the result of changes in the deferred tax assets and liabilities during the period. Valuation allowances are recorded against deferred tax assets when it is considered more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized on a separate tax return basis.
Use Of Estimates
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Comprehensive Income
Other Comprehensive Income
The Partnership has not reported consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 due to immateriality of the components of other comprehensive income.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Income Taxes (ASU No. 2023-09)
In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued an accounting standards update to require additional tax disclosures under Topic 740 primarily related to the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid disclosures. The amendments in this update will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024 and are to be applied on a prospective basis. Retrospective application is also permitted. The update is not expected to have a material impact on the Partnership's disclosures.
Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses (ASU No. 2024-03)
In November 2024, the FASB issued an accounting standards update requiring public entities to disclose on an annual and interim basis detailed information about the types of expenses in relevant expense captions presented on the face of the income statement, including amounts for inventory purchases, employee compensation, depreciation and amortization of intangible assets and a qualitative description for remaining amounts not separately disaggregated. Additionally, the update requires disclosure of total selling expenses, and in annual periods, an entity's definition of selling expenses. The amendments in this update are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2027 and are to be applied either prospectively or retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted. The Partnership is currently evaluating the impact of the update on the disclosures in the Partnership's financial statements.
Recently Adopted Accounting Standard
Segment Reporting (ASU No. 2023-07)
In November 2023, the FASB issued an accounting standards update requiring public entities to disclose on an annual and interim basis, significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker ("CODM"), the title and position of the CODM and an explanation of how the CODM uses the reported measure(s) of segment profit or loss in assessing segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources. The update also requires that a public entity that has a single reportable segment provide all disclosures required by the update as well as all existing segment disclosures in Topic 280. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024 and are to be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. Early adoption is permitted. The Partnership adopted this accounting standard effective for the annual 2024 financial statements, and the adoption resulted in additional segment disclosures (see Note 17) and will result in additional segment disclosures in the Partnership's interim period financial statements thereafter.