Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation:

Principles of Consolidation: The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of EQT Corporation and all subsidiaries, ventures and partnerships in which a controlling interest is held (EQT or the Company).  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. EQT owns a 2.0% general partner interest, all incentive distribution rights and a 42.6% limited partner interest in EQT Midstream Partners, LP (the Partnership) (NYSE: EQM). The Partnership is consolidated in EQT’s consolidated financial statements. EQT records the noncontrolling interest of the public limited partners in EQT’s financial statements. The Company utilizes the equity method of accounting for companies where its ownership is less than or equal to 50% and significant influence exists.

Segments:

Segments: Operating segments are revenue-producing components of the enterprise for which separate financial information is produced internally and which are subject to evaluation by the Company’s chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources.

The Company reports its operations in two segments, which reflect its lines of business.  The EQT Production segment includes the Company’s exploration for, and development and production of, natural gas, natural gas liquids (NGLs) and a limited amount of crude oil in the Appalachian Basin.  EQT Midstream’s operations include the natural gas gathering, transportation, storage and marketing activities of the Company, including ownership and operation of the Partnership.

Substantially all of the Company’s operating revenues, income from operations and assets are generated or located in the United States.

Reclassification:

Reclassification: Certain previously reported amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. Additionally, financial statements and notes to the financial statements previously reported in prior periods have been recast to reflect the presentation of discontinued operations as a result of the Equitable Gas Transaction. Refer to Note 2 for additional information on discontinued operations.

Use of Estimates:

Use of Estimates:  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash Equivalents:

Cash Equivalents:  The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.  These investments are accounted for at cost.  Interest earned on cash equivalents is included as a reduction of interest expense.

Inventories:

Inventories:  Generally, the Company’s inventory balance consists of natural gas stored underground or in pipelines and materials and supplies recorded at the lower of average cost or market.  For hedged inventory subject to fair value hedges, the Company adjusts the average cost for the change in natural gas spot prices from the date the inventory is hedged until settlement.  These fair value adjustments become part of the average cost of the inventory.  During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Company recorded losses for lower of cost or market adjustments of $0.4 million, $7.0 million and $7.2 million, respectively, which became part of the average cost of the inventory.

Property, Plant and Equipment:

Property, Plant and Equipment: The Company’s property, plant and equipment consist of the following:

	As of December 31,
	2013			2012
	(Thousands)
Oil and gas producing properties, successful efforts method	$	8,152,951		$	6,750,343
Accumulated depletion	(2,134,953		)	(1,572,775		)
Net oil and gas producing properties	6,017,998			5,177,568
Midstream plant	2,807,165			2,308,362
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(547,991		)	(483,358		)
Net midstream plant	2,259,174			1,825,004
Other properties, at cost less accumulated depreciation	56,590			56,840
Net property, plant and equipment	$	8,333,762		$	7,059,412

Oil and gas producing properties use the successful efforts method of accounting for production activities.  Under this method, the cost of productive wells, including mineral interests, wells and related equipment, development dry holes, as well as productive acreage, are capitalized and depleted using the unit-of-production method.  These capitalized costs include salaries, benefits and other internal costs directly attributable to these activities.  The Company capitalized internal costs of $93.5 million, $72.1 million and $69.3 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  The Company capitalized $22.9 million, $15.6 million and $13.3 million of interest relative to Marcellus well development in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Depletion expense is calculated based on the actual production multiplied by the applicable depletion rate per unit.  The depletion rates are derived by dividing the costs capitalized by the number of units expected to be produced over the life of the reserves for lease costs and well costs separately.  Costs of exploratory dry holes, geological and geophysical activities, delay rentals and other property carrying costs are charged to expense.  The majority of the Company’s oil and gas producing properties consist of gas producing properties which were depleted at an overall average rate of $1.50 per Mcfe, $1.52 per Mcfe and $1.25 per Mcfe produced for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

The carrying values of the Company’s proved oil and gas properties are reviewed for indications of impairment when events or circumstances indicate that the remaining carrying value may not be recoverable.  In order to determine whether impairment has occurred, the Company estimates the expected future cash flows (on an undiscounted basis) from its oil and gas properties and compares these estimates to the carrying values of the properties.  The estimated future cash flows used to test those properties for recoverability are based on risk-adjusted proved and, in some cases, probable reserves, utilizing assumptions about the use of the asset, market prices for oil and gas and future operating costs.  Proved oil and gas properties that have carrying amounts in excess of estimated future cash flows would be deemed to be unrecoverable.  Those properties would be written down to fair value, which would be estimated by discounting the estimated future cash flows using discount rate assumptions that marketplace participants would use in their estimates of fair value.  For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Company did not recognize impairment charges on developed oil and gas properties.

Capitalized costs of unproved properties are evaluated at least annually for recoverability on a prospective basis.  Indicators of potential impairment include changes brought about by economic factors, potential shifts in business strategy employed by management and historical experience.  If it is determined that the properties will not yield proved reserves, the related costs are expensed in the period in which that determination is made.  Undeveloped properties had a net book value of $450.2 million and $385.6 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Undeveloped property impairments primarily as a result of lease expirations prior to drilling of $14.2 million, $5.5 million and $2.6 million are included in exploration expense for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company had no capitalized exploratory well costs.

Midstream property, plant and equipment is carried at cost.  Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method based on estimated service lives.  Midstream property consists largely of gathering and transmission systems (25-60 year estimated service life), buildings (35 year estimated service life), office equipment (3-7 year estimated service life), vehicles (5 year estimated service life), and computer and telecommunications equipment and systems (3-7 year estimated service life).

Major maintenance projects that do not increase the overall life of the related assets are expensed.  When major maintenance materially increases the life or value of the underlying asset, the cost is capitalized.

Sales and Retirements Policies:

Sales and Retirements Policies:  No gain or loss is recognized on the partial sale of proved developed oil and gas reserves unless non-recognition would significantly alter the relationship between capitalized costs and remaining proved reserves for the affected amortization base.  When gain or loss is not recognized, the amortization base is reduced by the amount of the proceeds.

Regulatory Accounting:

Regulatory Accounting:  EQT Midstream’s regulated operations consist of interstate pipeline operations subject to regulation by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and certain FERC-regulated gathering operations.  The application of regulatory accounting allows the Company to defer expenses and income on its Consolidated Balance Sheets as regulatory assets and liabilities when it is probable that those expenses and income will be allowed in the rate setting process in a period different from the period in which they would have been reflected in the Statements of Consolidated Income for a non-regulated company.  The deferred regulatory assets and liabilities are then recognized in the Statements of Consolidated Income in the period in which the same amounts are reflected in rates.

The following table presents the total regulated net revenues and operating expenses included in the operations of EQT Midstream:

	Years Ended December 31,
	2013		2012		2011
	(Thousands)
Midstream revenues	$	184,767	$	131,184	$	113,774
Midstream operating expenses	$	71,517	$	66,202	$	76,247

The following table presents the regulated net property, plant and equipment included in EQT Midstream:

	As of December 31,
	2013			2012
	(Thousands)
Property, plant & equipment	$	1,015,118		$	797,405
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(158,533		)	(143,714		)
Net property, plant & equipment	$	856,585		$	653,691

The regulatory assets associated with deferred taxes of $13.3 million and $18.3 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, are included in other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and primarily represent deferred income taxes recoverable through future rates related to a historical deferred tax position and the equity component of allowance for funds used during construction (AFUDC). The Company expects to recover the amortization of the deferred tax position ratably over the corresponding life of the underlying assets that created the difference.

Derivative Instruments:

Derivative Instruments:  Derivatives are held as part of a formally documented risk management program.  The Company’s risk management activities are subject to the management, direction and control of the Company’s Corporate Risk Committee (CRC).  The CRC reports to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors and is composed of the president and chief executive officer, the chief financial officer and other officers and employees.

The Company’s risk management program includes the consideration and, when appropriate, the use of (i) exchange-traded natural gas futures contracts and options and over the counter (OTC) natural gas swap agreements and options (collectively, derivative commodity instruments) to hedge exposures to fluctuations in natural gas prices and (ii) interest rate swap agreements to hedge exposures to fluctuations in interest rates.  The Company does not enter into derivative instruments for trading purposes.

The accounting for the changes in fair value of the Company’s derivative instruments depends on the use of the derivative instruments.  To the extent that a derivative instrument has been designated and qualifies as a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the change in fair value of the derivative instrument is reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (OCI), net of tax, and is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings.  The Company assesses the effectiveness of hedging relationships, as determined by the degree that the gain (loss) for the hedging instrument offsets the loss (gain) on the hedged item, both at the inception of the hedge and on an on-going basis.  If the gain (loss) for the hedging instrument is greater than the loss (gain) on the hedged item, the ineffective portion of the cash flow hedge is immediately recognized in operating revenues in the Statements of Consolidated Income.

For a derivative instrument that has been designated and qualifies as a fair value hedge, the change in the fair value for the instrument is recognized as a portion of operating revenues in the Statements of Consolidated Income each period.  In addition, the change in the fair value of the hedged item (natural gas inventory) is recognized as a portion of operating revenues in the Statements of Consolidated Income.  The Company elected to exclude the spot/forward differential from the assessment of effectiveness of the fair value hedges.  Effective October 1, 2013, the Company de-designated all derivative commodity instruments that were previously designated and qualified as fair value hedges.

Any changes in fair value of derivative instruments that have not been designated as hedges are recognized in the Statements of Consolidated Income each period.

If a cash flow hedge is terminated or de-designated as a hedge before the settlement date of the hedged item, the amount of accumulated OCI recorded up to that date remains accrued, provided that the forecasted transaction remains probable of occurring. Subsequent changes in fair value of a de-designated derivative instrument are recorded in earnings. The amount recorded in accumulated OCI is primarily related to instruments which are currently designated as cash flow hedges.

The Company reports all gains and losses on its energy trading contracts net as operating revenues on its Statements of Consolidated Income.

Allowance for Funds Used During Construction:

Allowance for Funds Used During Construction:   Carrying costs for the construction of certain long-term assets are capitalized by the Company and amortized over the related assets’ estimated useful lives. The capitalized amount for construction of regulated assets includes interest cost and a designated cost of equity for financing the construction of these assets which are subject to regulation by the FERC.

The debt portion of AFUDC is calculated based on the average cost of debt and is included as a reduction of interest expense in the Statements of Consolidated Income.  AFUDC interest costs capitalized were $4.3 million, $3.9 million and $2.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

The equity portion of AFUDC is calculated using the most recent equity rate of return approved by the applicable regulator.  Equity amounts capitalized are included in other income in the Statements of Consolidated Income.  The AFUDC equity amounts capitalized were $1.2 million, $6.8 million and $3.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets:

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets:  When events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of long-lived assets may not be recoverable, the Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment by first comparing the carrying value of the assets to the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the assets.  If the carrying value exceeds the sum of the assets’ undiscounted cash flows, the Company records an impairment loss equal to the difference between the carrying value and fair value of the assets.

Other Current Liabilities:

Other Current Liabilities:  Other current liabilities as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 are detailed below.

	December 31,
	2013		2012
	(Thousands)
Incentive compensation	$	65,053	$	52,291
Taxes other than income	39,073		37,048
Accrued interest payable	29,379		29,878
All other accrued liabilities	18,763		27,388
Total other current liabilities	$	152,268	$	146,605

Revenue Recognition:

Revenue Recognition:  Revenue is recognized for production and gathering activities when deliveries of natural gas, NGLs and crude oil are made. Revenues from natural gas transportation and storage activities are recognized in the period the service is provided. Reservation revenues on firm contracted capacity are recognized over the contract period based on the contracted volume regardless of the amount of natural gas that is transported.  The Company reports revenue from all energy trading contracts net in the income statement, regardless of whether the contracts are physically or financially settled. Contracts which result in physical delivery of a commodity expected to be used or sold by the Company in the normal course of business are considered normal purchases and sales and are not subject to derivative accounting. Revenues from these contracts are recognized at contract value when delivered.  Revenues associated with energy trading contracts that do not result in physical delivery of an energy commodity are classified as derivative instruments. The Company accounts for gas-balancing arrangements under the entitlement method. The Company uses the gross method to account for overhead cost reimbursements from joint operating partners. During periods in which rates are subject to refund as a result of a pending rate case, the Company records revenue at the rates which are pending approval but reserves these revenues to the level of previously approved rates until the final settlement of the rate case.

Investments:

Investments:  EQT owns a 2.0% general partner interest, all incentive distribution rights and a 42.6% limited partner interest in the Partnership. The Partnership is consolidated in EQT’s consolidated financial statements because EQT controls the Partnership through its ownership of the general partner. EQT records the noncontrolling interest of the public limited partners in EQT’s financial statements. Investments in companies in which the Company has the ability to exert significant influence over operating and financial policies (generally 20% to 50% ownership) are accounted for using the equity method. Under the equity method, investments are initially recorded at cost and adjusted for dividends and undistributed earnings and losses.  These investments are classified as equity in nonconsolidated investments on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.  The Company recognizes a loss in the value of an equity method investment that is other than a temporary decline.  The Company analyzes its equity method investments based on its share of estimated future cash flows from the investment to determine whether the carrying amount will be recoverable.

Purchased Gas Costs:

Purchased Gas Costs:  Purchased gas costs in the Statements of Consolidated Income include natural gas wellhead purchases, natural gas field line purchases, natural gas transmission line purchases, purchased gas cost adjustments, natural gas withdrawn from storage, gas used for product extraction and other gas supply expenses, including pipeline demand charges and transportation costs.

Income Taxes:

Income Taxes:  The Company files a consolidated federal income tax return and utilizes the asset and liability method to account for income taxes.  The provision for income taxes represents amounts paid or estimated to be payable, net of amounts refunded or estimated to be refunded, for the current year and the change in deferred taxes, exclusive of amounts recorded in OCI. Any refinements to prior years’ taxes made due to subsequent information are reflected as adjustments in the current period.  Separate income taxes are calculated for income from continuing operations, income from discontinued operations and items charged or credited directly to stockholders’ equity.

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are recognized using enacted tax rates for the effect of such temporary differences.  Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.

In accounting for uncertainty in income taxes of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return, the Company utilizes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement.  The recognition threshold requires the Company to determine whether it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position in order to record any financial statement benefit.  If it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained, then the Company must measure the tax position to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in financial statements.  The tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement.  The Company recognizes interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.

Provision For Doubtful Accounts

Provision for Doubtful Accounts:  Judgment is required to assess the ultimate realization of the Company’s accounts receivable, including assessing the probability of collection and the credit worthiness of certain customers.  Reserves for uncollectible accounts are recorded as part of selling, general and administrative expense on the Statements of Consolidated Income.  The reserves are based on historical experience, current and expected economic trends and specific information about customer accounts.  Accordingly, actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Earnings Per Share (EPS):

Earnings Per Share (EPS):  Basic EPS are computed by dividing net income attributable to EQT Corporation by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, without considering any dilutive items.  Diluted EPS are computed by dividing net income attributable to EQT Corporation by the weighted average number of common shares and potentially dilutive securities, net of shares assumed to be repurchased using the treasury stock method.  Purchases of treasury shares are calculated using the average share price for the Company’s common stock during the period.  Potentially dilutive securities arise from the assumed conversion of outstanding stock options and other share-based awards. See Note 15.

Asset Retirement Obligations:

Asset Retirement Obligations:  The Company accrues a liability for legal asset retirement obligations based on an estimate of the timing and amount of settlement.  For oil and gas wells, the fair value of the Company’s plugging and abandonment obligations is required to be recorded at the time the obligations are incurred, which is typically at the time the wells are spud.  Upon initial recognition of an asset retirement obligation, the Company increases the carrying amount of the long-lived asset by the same amount as the liability.  Over time, the liabilities are accreted for the change in their present value, through charges to depreciation, depletion and amortization, and the initial capitalized costs are depleted over the useful lives of the related assets.

The Company is required to operate and maintain its natural gas pipeline and storage systems, and intends to do so as long as supply and demand for natural gas exists, which the Company expects for the foreseeable future. Therefore, the Company believes that the substantial majority of its natural gas pipeline and storage system assets have indeterminate lives.

The following table presents a reconciliation of the beginning and ending carrying amounts of the Company’s asset retirement obligations which are included in other liabilities and credits in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.  The Company does not have any assets that are legally restricted for purposes of settling these obligations.

	Years Ended December 31,
	2013			2012
	(Thousands)
Asset retirement obligation as of beginning of period	$	109,034		$	102,439
Accretion expense	8,342			7,716
Liabilities incurred	2,510			1,141
Liabilities settled	(3,353		)	(2,408)
Revisions in estimated cash flows	(488		)	146
Asset retirement obligation as of end of period	$	116,045		$	109,034

Self-Insurance:

Self-Insurance: The Company is self-insured for certain losses related to workers’ compensation and maintains a self-insured retention for general liability, automobile liability, environmental liability and other casualty coverage.  The Company maintains stop loss coverage with third-party insurers to limit the total exposure for general liability, automobile liability, environmental liability and workers’ compensation.  The recorded reserves represent estimates of the ultimate cost of claims incurred as of the balance sheet date.  The estimated liabilities are based on analyses of historical data and actuarial estimates and are not discounted.  The liabilities are reviewed by management quarterly and by independent actuaries annually to ensure that they are appropriate.  While the Company believes these estimates are reasonable based on the information available, financial results could be impacted if actual trends, including the severity or frequency of claims, differ from estimates.

Accumulated other comprehensive income:

Accumulated other comprehensive income: The components of accumulated OCI, net of tax, are as follows:

	As of December 31,
	2013		2012
	(Thousands)
Net unrealized gain from natural gas hedging transactions	$	61,699	$	138,188
Net unrealized loss from interest rate swaps	(1,132)		(1,276)
Pension and other post-retirement benefits liability adjustment	(15,864)		(37,365)
Accumulated OCI	$	44,703	$	99,547

Noncontrolling interest:

Noncontrolling interest: Noncontrolling interests represent third-party equity ownership in the Partnership and are presented as a component of equity in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. In the Statements of Consolidated Income, noncontrolling interests reflect the allocation of earnings to third-party investors, which for the Partnership gives effect to the incentive distribution rights declared for each period. See Note 3 for further discussion of noncontrolling interests related to the Partnership.

Subsequent Events:

Subsequent Events: The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the date of the financial statement issuance.