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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

We are a fee-based, growth-oriented master limited partnership formed by Shell to own, operate, develop and acquire pipelines and other midstream assets. Our assets consist of interests in entities that own crude oil and refined products pipelines serving as key infrastructure to transport onshore and offshore crude oil production to Gulf Coast and Midwest refining markets and to deliver refined products from those markets to major demand centers. As of December 31, 2016, we own interests in seven crude oil pipeline systems, three refined products systems, one natural gas gathering pipeline system and a crude tank storage and terminal system. The crude oil pipeline systems include the Auger Pipeline System (“Auger”), held by Pecten Midstream LLC (“Pecten”), Zydeco Pipeline Company LLC (“Zydeco”), Odyssey Pipeline LLC (“Odyssey”), Mars Oil Pipeline Company (“Mars”), Poseidon Oil Pipeline Company LLC (“Poseidon”), Proteus Oil Pipeline Company, LLC (“Proteus”), and Endymion Oil Pipeline Company, LLC (“Endymion”), are strategically located along the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast and in the Gulf of Mexico. These systems link major onshore and offshore production areas with key refining markets. The refined products pipeline systems, which are held by Bengal Pipeline Company LLC (“Bengal”) and Colonial Pipeline Company (“Colonial”), connect Gulf Coast and southeastern U.S. refineries to major demand centers from Alabama to New York, and Explorer Pipeline Company (“Explorer”) which serves more than 70 major cities in 16 states from the Gulf Coast to the Midwest. The natural gas pipeline system, Cleopatra Gas Gathering Company, LLC (“Cleopatra”), brings Gulf of Mexico gas production to the market hub at Ship Shoal 332. The crude storage terminal, Lockport Terminal (“Lockport”), is located southwest of Chicago and serves Midwest refineries.

As of December 31, 2016, we own a 100.0% interest in Pecten, a 92.5% interest in Zydeco, a 50.0% interest in Bengal, a 49.0% interest in Odyssey, a 48.6% interest in Mars, a 36.0% interest in Poseidon, a 10.0% interest in Proteus, a 10.0% interest in Endymion, a 6.0% interest in Colonial a 2.62% interest in Explorer and a 1.0% interest in Cleopatra. Each of Pecten and Zydeco is consolidated within our consolidated financial statements as a subsidiary. The 7.5% ownership interest in Zydeco retained by SPLC is reflected as noncontrolling interest in our consolidated financial statements. We account for each of our investments in Bengal, Odyssey, Mars, Poseidon, Proteus and Endymion using the equity method of accounting, and we account for each of our investments in Colonial, Explorer and Cleopatra using the cost method of accounting.

We generate the majority of our revenue under long-term agreements by charging fees for the transportation and storage of crude oil and refined products through our pipelines and storage tanks, and from income from our equity and cost method investments. Our operations consist of one reportable segment.

Basis of Presentation

Our consolidated financial statements include all majority owned and non-majority owned subsidiaries required to be consolidated under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). Our reporting currency is U.S. dollars, and all references to dollars are U.S. dollars. The accompanying consolidated financial statements and related notes have been prepared under the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). These rules and regulations conform to the accounting principles contained in the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification, the single source of GAAP.

Our consolidated subsidiaries include Pecten, Zydeco and the Operating Company. Acquisitions of additional interests in previously consolidated subsidiaries and interests in cost and equity method investments are accounted for as asset acquisitions. Accordingly, these assets are included in the financial statements prospectively from the effective date of each acquisition. See Note 3 – Acquisitions for additional information.

The following businesses were acquired from our Parent and accounted for as acquisitions between entities under common control. As such, our consolidated financial statements include the financial results of these businesses, which were derived from the financial statements and accounting records of SPLC and Shell for the periods prior to acquisition. Specifically, such acquisitions are reflected for the following periods prior to the effective date of such acquisition:


•	Houston-to-Houma crude oil pipeline system (“Ho-Ho”) for periods prior to July 1, 2014 (Ho-Ho, now referred to as “Zydeco pipeline” or “Zydeco pipeline system”);


•	Zydeco Pipeline Company LLC (“Zydeco”) for the period from July 1, 2014 through November 2, 2014; and


•	Shell Auger and Lockport Operations (the “Shell Auger and Lockport Operations” or “Auger and Lockport”) for periods prior to October 1, 2015.

Our consolidated statements of income exclude the results of these businesses from net income attributable to the Partnership for the periods indicated above by allocating these results to our Parent.

All financial information represents the consolidated statements of income, balance sheets and cash flows accordingly:

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Our consolidated statements of income and cash flows for 2015 consist of the combined results of the Shell Auger and Lockport Operations prior to the acquisition date and the consolidated activity of the Partnership. Our consolidated statements of income and cash flows for 2014 consist of the consolidated results of the Partnership for the period from November 3, 2014 through December 31, 2014, the results of the Shell Auger and Lockport Operations for the entirety of 2014, and the combined results of Ho-Ho and Zydeco for the period from January 1, 2014 through November 2, 2014.

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Our consolidated statement of changes in equity for 2015 consists of the combined results of the Shell Auger and Lockport Operations prior to the acquisition date and the consolidated activity of the Partnership. Our consolidated statement of changes in equity for 2014 consists of both the combined activity for the Shell Auger and Lockport Operations, Ho-Ho and Zydeco prior to November 3, 2014, and the consolidated activity for the Shell Auger and Lockport Operations and the Partnership completed subsequent to the IPO on November 3, 2014.

Expense Allocations. Our consolidated statements of income also include expense allocations for certain functions performed by SPLC and Shell on behalf of the above businesses prior to their respective dates of acquisition us. Such costs are included in either general and administrative expenses or operations and maintenance expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income, depending on the nature of the employee’s role in our operations. The expense allocations have been determined on a basis that we, SPLC and Shell consider to be a reasonable reflection of the utilization of the services provided or the benefit received during the periods presented. Nevertheless, the consolidated financial statements may not include all of the expenses that would have been incurred as a separate, publicly-traded company during the periods prior to November 3, 2014 and may not reflect our consolidated statements of income and cash flows as a separate, publicly-traded company during the periods prior to November 3, 2014.

Beginning from July 1, 2014, Zydeco entered into an operating and management agreement with SPLC (the “Management Agreement”) under which SPLC provides general management and administrative services to us. Therefore, we no longer receive allocated corporate expenses from SPLC. We will continue to receive direct and allocated field and regional expenses from SPLC including payroll expenses not covered under the operating and management agreement. In addition, beginning from October 1, 2015, Pecten entered into an operating and management agreement under which we receive direct and allocated field and regional expenses from SPLC. See details of related party transactions in Note 4 — Related Party Transactions.

Cash. Prior to the contribution of fixed assets and certain agreements on July 1, 2014, regarding Zydeco, and October 1, 2015, regarding the Shell Auger and Lockport Operations, the cash generated and used by our operations was deposited to SPLC’s centralized account which was comingled with the cash of other pipeline entities controlled by SPLC. SPLC funded our operating and investing activities as needed. Accordingly, we did not record any cash and cash equivalents held by SPLC on our behalf for any period prior to July 1, 2014, regarding Zydeco, and October 1, 2015, regarding the Shell Auger and Lockport Operations. We reflected the cash generated by our operations and expenses paid by SPLC on behalf of our operations as Other contributions from Parent within the accompanying consolidated statements of changes in equity and consolidated statements of cash flows. On July 1, 2014, regarding Zydeco, and October 1, 2015, regarding the Shell Auger and Lockport Operations, we established our own cash accounts for the funding of our operating and investing activities, with the exception of the capital expenditures incurred by SPLC on our behalf and then contributed to us.

Principles of Consolidation

Our consolidated financial statements include all subsidiaries where we have control. The assets and liabilities in the accompanying consolidated financial statements have been reflected on a historical basis. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated upon consolidation.

Regulation

Certain businesses are subject to regulation by various authorities including, but not limited to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”). Regulatory bodies exercise statutory authority over matters such as construction, rates and ratemaking and agreements with customers.

Net Parent Investment

Net Parent Investment represents SPLC’s historical investment in us, our accumulated net earnings through the date which we obtained control of the respective subsidiaries, and the net effect of transactions with, and allocations from, SPLC and Shell Oil Company. Retrospectively adjusted financial information from prior to the acquisition of the Shell Auger and Lockport Operations is included in Net Parent Investment.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Common Control Transactions

Assets and businesses acquired from our Parent and its subsidiaries are accounted for as common control transactions whereby the net assets acquired are combined with ours at their historical carrying value. If any recognized consideration transferred in such a transaction exceeds the carrying value of the net assets acquired, the excess is treated as a capital distribution to our General Partner, similar to a dividend. If the carrying value of the net assets acquired exceeds any recognized consideration transferred including, if applicable, the fair value of any limited partner units issued, then that excess is treated as a capital contribution from our General Partner. To the extent that such transactions require prior periods to be retrospectively adjusted, historical net equity amounts prior to the transaction date are reflected in “Net Parent Investment.” Cash consideration up to the carrying value of net assets acquired is presented as an investing activity in our consolidated statement of cash flows. Cash consideration in excess of the carrying value of net assets acquired is presented as a financing activity in our consolidated statement of cash flows.

Revenue Recognition

Our revenues are primarily generated from crude oil transportation services and also storage services. In general, we recognize revenue from customers when all of the following criteria are met: (1) persuasive evidence of an exchange arrangement exists; (2) delivery or storage has occurred or services have been rendered; (3) the price is fixed or determinable; and (4) collectability is reasonably assured. We record revenue for crude oil transportation and storage services over the period in which they are earned (i.e., either physical delivery or storage of product has taken place or the services designated in the contract have been performed). We accrue revenue based on services rendered but not billed for that accounting month. Additionally, we provide crude storage rental services to third parties and related parties under long-term contracts.

As a result of FERC regulations, revenues we collect may be subject to refund. We establish reserves for these potential refunds based on actual expected refund amounts on the specific facts and circumstances. We had no reserves for potential refunds as of December 31, 2016 and 2015.

Our FERC-approved transportation services agreements on Zydeco entitle the customer to a specified amount of guaranteed capacity on a pipeline. This capacity cannot be pro-rated even if the pipeline is oversubscribed. In exchange, the customer makes a specified monthly payment regardless of the volume transported. If the customer does not ship its full guaranteed volume in a given month, it makes the full monthly cash payment and may ship the unused volume in a later month for no additional cash payment for up to 12 months, subject to availability on the pipeline. If there is insufficient capacity on the pipeline to allow the unused volume to be shipped, the customer forfeits its right to ship such unused volume.

Cash collected from customers for shortfalls under these agreements is recorded as deferred revenue. We recognize deferred revenue under these arrangements into revenue once all contingencies or potential performance obligations associated with the related volumes have either (1) been satisfied through the transportation of future excess volumes of crude oil, or (2) expired (or lapsed) through the passage of time pursuant to the terms of the FERC-approved transportation services agreement. Because the expiration of a customer’s right to utilize shortfall payments is twelve months or less, we classify deferred revenue as a short term liability. Deferred revenue balance was $13.9 million and $6.2 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Our long-term transportation agreements and tariffs for crude oil transportation include a product loss allowance, or “PLA.” PLA is intended to assure proper measurement of the crude oil despite solids, water, evaporation and variable crude types that can cause mismeasurement. The PLA provides additional revenue for us if product losses on our pipelines are within the allowed levels, and we are required to compensate our customers for any product losses that exceed the allowed levels. We take title to any excess loss allowance when product losses are within an allowed level, and we convert that product to cash several times per year at prevailing market prices to a related party.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents

Our cash and cash equivalents includes cash and short-term highly liquid overnight deposits.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Accounts receivable represent valid claims against customers for products sold or services rendered, net of allowances for doubtful accounts. We assess the creditworthiness of our counterparties on an ongoing basis and require security, including prepayments and other forms of collateral, when appropriate. We establish provisions for losses on accounts receivable due from shippers and operators if we determine that we will not collect all or part of the outstanding balance. Outstanding customer receivables are regularly reviewed for possible nonpayment indicators, and allowances for doubtful accounts are recorded based upon management’s estimate of collectability at each balance sheet date.

Allowance Oil

A PLA factor per barrel is incorporated into applicable crude oil tariffs to cover evaporation and other loss in transit. Allowance oil represents the net difference between the tariff PLA volumes and the actual volumetric losses. Our allowance oil is valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value using the average market price of the relevant type of crude oil during the month product was transported. Gains and losses from the conversion of allowance oil to cash are calculated using the specific cost per barrel based on the month of accumulation. Gains and losses from the conversion of allowance oil to cash and gains and losses from pipeline operations that relate to allowance oil are recorded in Operations and maintenance expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.

Equity Method Investments

We generally account for investments in 50.0% or less-owned affiliates, where we have the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, under the equity method of accounting. Income from equity method investments represents our proportionate share of net income generated by the equity method investees. Equity method investments are assessed for impairment whenever changes in the facts and circumstances indicate a loss in value has occurred, if the loss is deemed to be other than temporary. When the loss is deemed to be other than temporary, the carrying value of the equity method investment is written down to fair value, and the amount of the write-down is included in net income. Differences in the basis of the investments and the separate net asset value of the investees, if any, are amortized into net income over the remaining useful lives of the underlying assets.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Our property, plant and equipment is recorded at its historical cost of construction or, upon acquisition, at either the fair value of the assets acquired or the historical carrying value to the entity that placed the asset in service. Expenditures for major renewals and betterments are capitalized while those minor replacement, maintenance, and repairs which do not improve or extend asset life are expensed when incurred. For constructed assets, we capitalize all construction-related direct labor and material costs, as well as indirect construction costs.

We use the straight-line method to depreciate property, plant and equipment based on the estimated useful life of the asset. We report gains or losses on dispositions of fixed assets as loss (gain) from disposition of fixed assets in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.

Impairment of Long-lived Assets

We evaluate long-lived assets of identifiable business activities for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate, in our management’s judgment, that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable. These events include market declines that are believed to be other than temporary, changes in the manner in which we intend to use a long-lived asset, decisions to sell an asset and adverse changes in the legal or business environment such as adverse actions by regulators. If an event occurs, which is a determination that involves judgment, we perform an impairment assessment by comparing our management’s estimate of forecasted undiscounted future cash flows associated with the asset to the asset’s net book value. If the net book value exceeds our estimate of forecasted undiscounted cash flows, an impairment is calculated as the amount the net book value exceeds the estimated discounted future cash flows associated with the asset.

Income Taxes

We are not a taxable entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes or for the majority of states that impose an income tax. Taxes on our net income are generally borne by our partners through the allocation of taxable income. Our income tax expense results from partnership activity in the state of Texas, as conducted by Zydeco.

Cost Method Investment

Cost Method Investments

We account for investments in entities where we do not have control or significant influence under the cost method. We monitor the operating environment of these investments for change in circumstances or the occurrence of events that suggest the total carrying value of these investments may not be recoverable. The carrying value of cost method investments is not adjusted if there are no identified events or changes in circumstances that may have a material effect on the fair value of the investments. Cost method investments are reported as Cost investments in our consolidated balance sheets.

Obligations

Asset retirement obligations represent legal and constructive obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets that result from the acquisition, construction, development and/or normal use of the asset. We record liabilities for obligations related to the retirement and removal of long-lived assets used in our businesses at fair value on a discounted basis when they are incurred and can be reasonably estimated. Amounts recorded for the related assets are increased by the amount of these obligations. Over time, the liabilities increase due to the change in their present value, and the initial capitalized costs are depreciated over the useful lives of the related assets. The liabilities are eventually extinguished when settled at the time the asset is taken out of service.

Our asset retirement obligations relate to our exclusive right of use of a portion of the Garden Banks 128 “A” Platform (GB 128A), where we operate facilities relating to the Auger pipeline system. Our right of use agreement provides that we pay our share of the GB 128A decommissioning costs when and if that platform ceases operation. We have determined that a significant portion of our assets utilizing GB 128A have an indeterminate life, and as such, the fair values of those associated retirement obligations are not reasonably estimable. These assets include offshore pipelines pump and meter stations whose retirement dates will depend mostly on the various supply sources that connect to our systems and the ongoing demand for usage in the markets we serve. We expect these supply sources and market demands to continue for the foreseeable future, therefore we are unable to estimate retirement dates that would result in asset retirement obligations.

Asset retirement obligations are adjusted each period for liabilities incurred or settled during the period, accretion expense and any revisions made to the estimated cash flows.

Our asset retirement obligations were $1.4 million and $1.3 million, respectively as of December 2016 and 2015. During 2016, 2015 and 2014 accretion expense was $0.1 million, less than $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively.

We continue to evaluate our asset retirement obligations and future developments could impact the amounts we record. The demand for our pipelines depends on the ongoing demand to move crude oil and refined products through the system. Although individual assets will be replaced as needed, our pipelines will continue to exist for an indefinite useful life. As such, there is uncertainty around the timing of any asset retirement activities.

Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits

We do not have our own employees. Employees that work on our pipelines or terminal are employees of SPLC and we share employees with other SPLC-controlled and non-controlled entities. For presentation of these accompanying consolidated financial statements, our portion of payroll costs and employee benefit plan costs have been allocated as a charge to us by SPLC and Shell Oil Company. Shell Oil Company sponsors various employee pension and postretirement health and life insurance plans. For purposes of these accompanying consolidated financial statements, we are considered to be participating in the benefit plans of Shell Oil Company. We participate in the following defined benefits plans: Shell Oil Pension Plan, Shell Oil Retiree Health Care Plan, and Pennzoil-Quaker State Retiree Medical & Life Insurance. As a participant in these benefit plans, we recognize as expense in each period an allocation from Shell Oil Company, and we do not recognize any employee benefit plan assets or liabilities. See Note 4 — Related Party Transactions for total pension and benefit expenses under these plans.

Legal

We are subject to litigation and regulatory proceedings as the result of our business operations and transactions. We use both internal and external counsel in evaluating our potential exposure to adverse outcomes from orders, judgments or settlements. In general, we expense legal costs as incurred. When we identify specific litigation that is expected to continue for a significant period of time, is reasonably possible to occur and may require substantial expenditures, we identify a range of possible costs expected to be required to litigate the matter to a conclusion or reach an acceptable settlement, and we accrue for the lower end of the range. To the extent that actual outcomes differ from our estimates, or additional facts and circumstances cause us to revise our estimates, our earnings will be affected.

Environmental Matters

We are subject to federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations. Environmental expenditures are expensed or capitalized depending on their economic benefit. We expense costs such as permits, compliance with existing environmental regulations, remedial investigations, soil sampling, testing and monitoring costs to meet applicable environmental laws and regulations where prudently incurred or determined to be reasonably possible in the ordinary course of business. We are permitted to recover such expenditure through tariff rates charged to customers. We also expense costs that relate to an existing condition caused by past environmental incidents, which do not contribute to current or future revenue generation. We record environmental liabilities when environmental assessments and/or remedial efforts are probable and we can reasonably estimate the costs. Generally, our recording of these accruals coincides with our completion of a feasibility study or our commitment to a formal plan of action. We recognize receivables for anticipated associated insurance recoveries when such recoveries are deemed to be probable.

For 2016 and 2015 we did not incur any environmental cleanup costs, and in 2014, we incurred $3.0 million of environmental cleanup costs. Due to the formation of Zydeco via the contribution of fixed assets and certain agreements from SPLC, Zydeco was indemnified by SPLC against environmental cleanup costs for incidents that occurred prior to Zydeco’s formation on July 1, 2014. In addition, as a result of the contribution of Pecten from SPLC, SHLX was indemnified by SPLC against cleanup costs for incidents that occurred at Auger or Lockport prior to the contribution of Pecten on October 1, 2015. There were no environmental incidents related to Auger or Lockport during the periods presented. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, we had no accruals for environmental clean-up costs. Refer to Note 4 — Related Party Transactions under the Omnibus Agreement for additional details.

We routinely conduct reviews of potential environmental issues and claims that could impact our assets or operations. These reviews assist us in identifying environmental issues and estimating the costs and timing of remediation efforts. In making environmental liability estimations, we consider the material effect of environmental compliance, pending legal actions against us and potential third-party liability claims. Often, as the remediation evaluation and effort progresses, additional information is obtained, requiring revisions to estimated costs. These revisions are reflected in our income in the period in which they are probable and reasonably estimable.

Other Contingencies

We recognize liabilities for other contingencies when we have an exposure that indicates it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. Where the most likely outcome of a contingency can be reasonably estimated, we accrue a liability for that amount. Where the most likely outcome cannot be estimated, a range of potential losses is established and if no one amount in that range is more likely than any other, the lower end of the range is accrued.

Fair Value Estimates

We measure assets and liabilities requiring fair value presentation or disclosure using an exit price (i.e., the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability) and disclose such amounts according to the quality of valuation inputs under the following hierarchy:

Level 1: Quoted prices in an active market for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices that are directly or indirectly observable.

Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are significant to the fair value of assets or liabilities.

We classify the fair value of an asset or liability based on the lowest level of input significant to its measurement. A fair value initially reported as Level 3 will be subsequently reported as Level 2 if the unobservable inputs become inconsequential to its measurement, or corroborating market data becomes available. Asset and liability fair values initially reported as Level 2 will be subsequently reported as Level 3 if corroborating market data becomes unavailable.

The carrying amounts of our accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities approximate their fair values due to their short term nature. The carrying amount of our revolving credit agreements approximate their fair values due to utilization of a three-month LIBOR rate that resets quarterly when calculating interest.

Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements — Fair value measurements are applied with respect to our nonfinancial assets and liabilities measured on a nonrecurring basis, which consist primarily of asset retirement obligations. Nonrecurring fair value measurements are also applied, when applicable, to determine the fair value of our long-lived assets.

Net Income per limited partner unit

Net income per limited partner unit

Net income per unit applicable to common limited partner units and to subordinated limited partner units is computed by dividing the respective limited partners’ interest in net income for the period subsequent to the IPO by the weighted average number of common units and subordinated units, respectively, outstanding for the period. Because we have more than one class of participating securities, we use the two-class method when calculating the net income per unit applicable to limited partners. The classes of participating securities include common units, subordinated units, general partner units, and incentive distribution rights. Basic and diluted net income per unit are the same because we do not have any potentially dilutive units outstanding for the period presented.

Comprehensive Income

We have not reported comprehensive income due to the absence of items of other comprehensive income in the periods presented.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In January 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued accounting standards update (ASU 2017-01) to topic 805, Business Combinations, to clarify the definition of a business and to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. This provision is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption of this guidance is permitted. The revised definitions provided in this update will be applied to future transactions upon adoption.

In October 2016, the FASB issued accounting standards update (ASU 2016-17) to topic 810, Consolidation, making changes on how a reporting entity should treat indirect interests in an entity held through related parties that are under common control with the reporting entity when determining whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE. This update is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2016. Adoption of this update is not expected to have a material impact on our financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued accounting standards update (ASU 2016-15) to topic 230, Statement of Cash Flows, making changes to the classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments in order to reduce diversity in presentation. This update is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. The update addresses eight specific cash flow issues, of which only one is applicable to our financial statements. The applicable update relates to distributions received from equity method investees and prescribes two options for presenting these cash flows: cumulative earnings approach or nature of the distribution approach. We currently apply cumulative earnings approach, where the distributions received are considered returns on investment and classified as cash inflows from operating activities. Adoption of this update will not have a material impact on our financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued accounting standards update (ASU 2016-07) to topic 323, Investments – Equity Method and Joint Ventures, to eliminate the need for an entity to retroactively adopt the equity method of accounting when an investment becomes qualified for the use of the equity method of accounting due to an increase in level of ownership or degree of influence. This provision is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2016. We are currently evaluating the effect of adoption of this guidance on our financial position or results of operations.

In February 2016, the FASB issued accounting standards update to topic 842, Leases, which requires lessees to recognize assets and liabilities for leases with lease terms greater than twelve months in the statement of financial position. This update also requires improved disclosures to help users of financial statements better understand the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. This provision is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the effect that adopting this new standard will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In January 2016, the FASB issued accounting standards update (ASU 2016-01) to topic 825, Financial Instruments - Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, requiring equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. Additionally, the update allows equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values to be re-measured at fair value either upon the occurrence of an observable price change or upon identification of impairment, and requires additional disclosure around those investments. This update is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. We are currently evaluating the effect of this guidance which is not expected to have a significant impact on our financial position or results of operations.

In February 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standards update (ASU 2015-02) making targeted changes to the current consolidation guidance. The new standard changes the considerations related to substantive rights, related parties, and decision making fees when applying the variable interest entity consolidation model and eliminates certain guidance for limited partnerships and similar entities under the voting interest consolidation model. The update is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. Adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which will supersede nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under GAAP. The update's core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. We are evaluating our existing revenue recognition policies to determine whether any contracts in the scope of the guidance will be affected by the new requirements. The update is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. The update allows for either “full retrospective” adoption, meaning the standard is applied to all of the periods presented, or “modified retrospective” adoption, meaning the standard is applied only to the most current period presented in the financial statements. We have not yet selected a transition method nor have we determined the effect of the update on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.