Potential Impairments

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Asset Impairment Charges [Abstract]

Potential Impairments

POTENTIAL IMPAIRMENTS

LP continues to review certain operations and investments for potential impairments. LP’s management currently believes it has adequate support for the carrying value of each of these operations and investments based upon the anticipated cash flows that result from estimates of future demand, pricing and production costs assuming certain levels of planned capital expenditures. As of September 30, 2011, the undiscounted cash flows for the facilities indefinitely curtailed support the conclusion that no impairment is necessary for those facilities. However, if demand and pricing for the relevant products continues at levels significantly below cycle average demand and pricing, or should LP decide to invest capital in alternative projects, it is possible that impairment charges will be required. See discussion in Note 3 Fair Value Measurements for impairment charges recorded in the periods presented.

LP also reviews from time to time possible dispositions of various assets in light of current and anticipated economic and industry conditions, its strategic plan and other relevant circumstances. Because a determination to dispose of particular assets can require management to make assumptions regarding the transaction structure of the disposition and to estimate the net sales proceeds, which may be less than previous estimates of undiscounted future net cash flows, LP may be required to record impairment charges in connection with decisions to dispose of assets.