2.2.0.7 false Derivative Instruments 01800 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments true false false false 1 USD false false USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 EPS Divide http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 Shares Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 $ 2 Disclosure - Derivative Instruments 0 nwn_DisclosureDerivativeInstruments nwn false na duration No definition available. false false false false false true false false false false false false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false xbrli:stringItemType string No definition available. false 3 Derivative Instruments 1 us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosureTextBlock us-gaap true na duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false false 1 false false false false 0 0 10.       Derivative Instruments We enter into swap, option and combinations of option contracts for the purpose of hedging natural gas and the forecasted issuance of fixed-rate debt which qualify as derivative instruments under accounting rules for derivative instruments and hedging activities.  We primarily use these derivative financial instruments to manage commodity prices related to our natural gas purchase requirements and to manage interest rate risk exposure related to our long-term debt issuances. In the normal course of business, we enter into indexed-price physical forward natural gas commodity purchase (gas supply) contracts to meet the requirements of core utility customers.  We also enter into financial derivatives, up to prescribed limits, to hedge price variability related to the physical gas supply contracts.  Derivatives entered into prudently for future gas years prior to our annual Purchased Gas Adjustment (PGA) filing receive regulatory deferred accounting treatment.  Derivative contracts entered into after the annual PGA rate was set on November 1, 2009 that are for the current gas contract year are subject to our PGA incentive sharing mechanism, which provides for 90 percent of the changes in fair value to be deferred as regulatory assets or liabilities and the remaining 10 percent to be recorded to the income statement for contracts not qualifying for cash flow hedge accounting and to other comprehensive income for contracts qualifying for cash flow hedge accounting. Most of our commodity hedging for the upcoming gas contract year is completed prior to the start of each gas year, and these hedge prices are included in our annual PGA filing.  We typically hedge approximately 75 percent of our anticipated year-round sales volumes based on normal weather.  We entered the 2009-10 gas contract year (November 1, 2009 – October 31, 2010) hedged at a targeted level of 75 percent, including 60 percent financially hedged and 15 percent physically hedged through gas storage volumes.  Our policy allows us to hedge price risk for up to 100 percent of our gas supplies for the next gas year and up to 50 percent for the following gas contract year. At September 30, 2010, we were hedged with financial contracts for the upcoming gas contract year at approximately 77 percent based on anticipated sales volumes. At September 30, 2010, we were also hedged with financial contracts for the 2011-12 gas contract year between 20 and 25 percent, and for the 2012-13 gas contract year between 5 and 10 percent. The following table discloses the balance sheet presentation of our derivative instruments as of September 30, 2010 and 2009 and December 31, 2009:<div><table style="border-collapse:collapse;margin-top:20px;"><tr style="height: 20px"><td style="width: 25px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:25px;"> </td><td style="width: 155px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:155px;"> </td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td colspan="16" style="width: 525px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:525px;">Fair Value of Derivative Instruments</td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><td style="width: 25px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:25px;"> </td><td style="width: 155px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:155px;"> </td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td colspan="4" style="width: 165px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:165px;">September 30, 2010</td><td style="width: 5px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td colspan="4" style="width: 165px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:165px;">September 30, 2009</td><td style="width: 5px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td colspan="4" style="width: 165px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:165px;">December 31, 2009</td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><td colspan="2" style="width: 180px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:180px;">Thousands</td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 75px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;">Current</td><td style="width: 5px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 75px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;">Non-Current</td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 75px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;">Current</td><td style="width: 5px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 75px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;">Non-Current</td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 75px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;">Current</td><td style="width: 5px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 75px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;">Non-Current</td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><td colspan="2" style="width: 180px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:180px;">Assets:(1)</td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 75px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> </td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 75px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> </td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 75px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> </td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 75px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> </td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 75px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> </td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 75px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> </td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><td style="width: 25px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:25px;"> </td><td style="width: 155px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:155px;">Natural gas commodity</td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 75px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> 1,754</td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 75px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> 518</td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 75px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> 13,924</td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 75px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> 3,711</td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 75px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> 6,214</td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 75px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> 843</td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><td style="width: 25px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:25px;"> </td><td style="width: 155px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:155px;">Foreign exchange</td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 75px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> 110</td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 75px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> -</td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 75px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> -</td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 75px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> -</td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 75px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> 290</td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 75px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> -</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px"><td colspan="2" style="width: 180px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:180px;">Total</td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 75px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> 1,864</td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 75px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> 518</td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 75px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> 13,924</td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 75px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> 3,711</td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 75px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> 6,504</td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 75px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> 843</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px"><td colspan="2" style="width: 180px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:180px;">Liabilities:(2)</td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:double;border-top-width:3px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 75px; border-top-style:double;border-top-width:3px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> </td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:double;border-top-width:3px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 75px; border-top-style:double;border-top-width:3px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> </td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:double;border-top-width:3px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 75px; border-top-style:double;border-top-width:3px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> </td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:double;border-top-width:3px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 75px; border-top-style:double;border-top-width:3px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> </td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:double;border-top-width:3px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 75px; border-top-style:double;border-top-width:3px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> </td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:double;border-top-width:3px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 75px; border-top-style:double;border-top-width:3px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> </td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><td style="width: 25px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:25px;"> </td><td style="width: 155px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:155px;">Natural gas commodity</td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 75px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> 59,898</td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 75px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> 27,211</td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 75px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> 39,087</td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 75px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> 1,660</td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 75px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> 19,643</td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 75px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> 3,193</td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><td style="width: 25px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:25px;"> </td><td style="width: 155px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:155px;">Foreign exchange</td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 75px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> -</td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 75px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> -</td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 75px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> 341</td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 75px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> -</td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 75px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> -</td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 75px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> -</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px"><td colspan="2" style="width: 180px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:180px;">Total</td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 75px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> 59,898</td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 75px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> 27,211</td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 75px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> 39,428</td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 75px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> 1,660</td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 75px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> 19,643</td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 75px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> 3,193</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px"><td style="width: 25px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:25px;"> </td><td style="width: 155px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:155px;"> </td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:double;border-top-width:3px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 75px; border-top-style:double;border-top-width:3px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> </td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:double;border-top-width:3px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 75px; border-top-style:double;border-top-width:3px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> </td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:double;border-top-width:3px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 75px; border-top-style:double;border-top-width:3px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> </td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:double;border-top-width:3px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 75px; border-top-style:double;border-top-width:3px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> </td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:double;border-top-width:3px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 75px; border-top-style:double;border-top-width:3px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> </td><td style="width: 5px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:5px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:double;border-top-width:3px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 75px; border-top-style:double;border-top-width:3px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> </td></tr><tr style="height: 24px"><td style="width: 25px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:25px;">(1)</td><td colspan="19" style="width: 695px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:695px;">Unrealized fair value gains are classified under current- or non-current assets as derivative assets. </td></tr><tr style="height: 24px"><td style="width: 25px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:25px;">(2)</td><td colspan="19" style="width: 695px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:695px;">Unrealized fair value losses are classified under current- or non-current liabilities as derivative liabilities. </td></tr></table></div>       The following table discloses the income statement presentation for the unrealized gains and losses from our derivative instruments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.  All of our currently outstanding derivative instruments are related to regulated utility operations as illustrated by the derivative gains and losses being deferred to balance sheet accounts in accordance with regulatory accounting standards.<div><table style="border-collapse:collapse;margin-top:20px;"><tr style="height: 20px"><td style="width: 25px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:25px;"> </td><td style="width: 295px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:295px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td colspan="13" style="width: 380px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:380px;">Three Months Ended</td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><td style="width: 25px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:25px;"> </td><td style="width: 295px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:295px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td colspan="5" style="width: 180px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:180px;">September 30, 2010</td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td colspan="6" style="width: 180px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:180px;">September 30, 2009</td></tr><tr style="height: 40px"><td colspan="2" style="width: 320px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:320px;">Thousands</td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 80px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;">Natural gas commodity(1)</td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 80px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;">Foreign exchange (2)</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 80px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;">Natural gas commodity(1)</td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 80px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;">Foreign exchange (2)</td></tr><tr style="height: 18px"><td colspan="2" style="width: 320px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:320px;">Cost of sales</td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 80px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;"> (35,744)</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 80px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;"> -</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 80px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;"> 50,149</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 80px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;"> -</td></tr><tr style="height: 23px"><td colspan="2" style="width: 320px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:320px;">Other comprehensive income</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 80px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;"> -</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 80px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;"> 449</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 80px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;"> -</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 80px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;"> (288)</td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><td colspan="2" style="width: 320px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:320px;">Less: </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 80px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 80px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 80px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 80px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;"> </td></tr><tr style="height: 39px"><td colspan="2" style="width: 320px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:320px;">Amounts deferred to regulatory accounts on balance sheet</td><td style="width: 10px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 80px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;"> 35,744</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 80px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;"> (449)</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 80px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;"> (50,149)</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 80px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;"> 288</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px"><td style="width: 25px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:25px;"> </td><td style="width: 295px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:295px;">Total impact on earnings</td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 80px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;"> -</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 80px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;"> -</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 80px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;"> -</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 80px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;"> -</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px"><td style="width: 25px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:25px;"> </td><td style="width: 295px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:295px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:double;border-top-width:3px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 80px; border-top-style:double;border-top-width:3px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:double;border-top-width:3px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 80px; border-top-style:double;border-top-width:3px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:double;border-top-width:3px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 80px; border-top-style:double;border-top-width:3px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:double;border-top-width:3px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 80px; border-top-style:double;border-top-width:3px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;"> </td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><td style="width: 25px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:25px;"> </td><td style="width: 295px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:295px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td colspan="13" style="width: 380px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:380px;">Nine Months Ended</td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><td style="width: 25px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:25px;"> </td><td style="width: 295px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:295px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td colspan="5" style="width: 180px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:180px;">September 30, 2010</td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td colspan="6" style="width: 180px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:180px;">September 30, 2009</td></tr><tr style="height: 40px"><td colspan="2" style="width: 320px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:320px;">Thousands</td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 80px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;">Natural gas commodity(1)</td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 80px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;">Foreign exchange (2)</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 80px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;">Natural gas commodity(1)</td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 80px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;">Foreign exchange (2)</td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><td colspan="2" style="width: 320px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:320px;">Cost of sales</td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 80px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;"> (84,837)</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 80px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;"> -</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 80px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;"> (23,112)</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 80px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;"> -</td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><td colspan="2" style="width: 320px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:320px;">Other comprehensive income</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 80px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;"> -</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 80px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;"> 110</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 80px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;"> -</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 80px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;"> (341)</td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><td colspan="2" style="width: 320px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:320px;">Less: </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 80px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 80px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 80px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 80px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;"> </td></tr><tr style="height: 42px"><td colspan="2" style="width: 320px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:320px;">Amounts deferred to regulatory accounts on balance sheet</td><td style="width: 10px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 80px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;"> 84,837</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 80px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;"> (110)</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 80px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;"> 23,112</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 80px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;"> 341</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px"><td style="width: 25px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:25px;"> </td><td style="width: 295px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:295px;">Total impact on earnings</td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 80px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;"> -</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 80px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;"> -</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 80px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;"> -</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 80px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;"> -</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px"><td style="width: 25px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:25px;"> </td><td style="width: 295px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:295px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:double;border-top-width:3px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 80px; border-top-style:double;border-top-width:3px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:double;border-top-width:3px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 80px; border-top-style:double;border-top-width:3px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:double;border-top-width:3px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 80px; border-top-style:double;border-top-width:3px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:double;border-top-width:3px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 80px; border-top-style:double;border-top-width:3px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:80px;"> </td></tr><tr style="height: 41px"><td style="width: 25px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:25px;">(1)</td><td colspan="15" style="width: 685px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:685px;">Unrealized gain (loss) from natural gas commodity hedge contracts is recorded in cost of sales and reclassified to regulatory deferral accounts on the balance sheet. </td></tr><tr style="height: 41px"><td style="width: 25px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:25px;">(2)</td><td colspan="15" style="width: 685px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:685px;">Unrealized gain (loss) from foreign exchange forward purchase contracts is recorded in other comprehensive income, and reclassified to regulatory deferral accounts on the balance sheet. </td></tr></table></div>Our derivative liabilities exclude the netting of collateral.  We had no collateral posted with our counterparties as of September 30, 2010 or 2009.  We attempt to minimize the potential exposure to collateral calls by our counterparties to manage our liquidity risk.  Based on our current credit ratings, most counterparties allow us credit limits ranging from $15 million to $25 million before collateral postings are required.  Our collateral call exposure is set forth under credit support agreements, which generally contain credit limits. We also could be subject to collateral call exposure where we have agreed to provide adequate assurance, which is not specific as to the amount of credit limit allowed, but could potentially require additional collateral in the event of a material adverse change.  Based upon current contracts outstanding, which reflect unrealized losses of $86.2 million at September 30, 2010, we have estimated the projected collateral demands, with and without potential adequate assurance calls, using current gas prices and various downgrade credit rating scenarios for NW Natural as follows:<div><table style="border-collapse:collapse;margin-top:20px;"><tr style="height: 20px"><td style="width: 220px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:220px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 75px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td colspan="10" style="width: 360px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:360px;">Credit Rating Downgrade Scenarios</td></tr><tr style="height: 60px"><td style="width: 220px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:220px;">Thousands</td><td style="width: 10px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 75px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;">(Current Ratings) A+/A3 </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 75px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;">BBB+/Baa1</td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 75px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;">BBB/Baa2</td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 75px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;">BBB-/Baa3</td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 75px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;">Speculative</td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><td style="width: 220px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:220px;">With Adequate Assurance Calls</td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 75px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> -</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 75px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> 3,745</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 75px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> 8,745</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 75px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> 14,695</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 75px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> 42,345</td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><td style="width: 220px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:220px;">Without Adequate Assurance Calls</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 75px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> -</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 75px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> 3,745</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 75px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> 8,745</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 75px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> 14,695</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 75px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:75px;"> 42,345</td></tr></table></div>In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, we realized net losses of $12.6 million and $33.3 million, respectively, from the settlement of natural gas hedge contracts at maturity, which were recorded as increases to the cost of gas, compared to net losses of $29.1 million and $150.8 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009.  The currency exchange rate in all foreign currency forward purchase contracts is included in our purchased cost of gas at settlement; therefore, no gain or loss is recorded from the settlement of those contracts.  We settled our $50 million interest rate swap in March 2009, concurrent with our issuance of the underlying long-term debt, and realized a $10.1 million effective hedge loss which is being amortized to interest expense over the term of the debt. We are exposed to derivative credit risk primarily through securing pay-fixed natural gas commodity swaps to hedge the risk of price increases for our natural gas purchases on behalf of customers.  We utilize master netting arrangements through International Swaps and Derivatives Association contracts to minimize this risk along with collateral support agreements with counterparties based on their credit ratings.  In certain cases we require guarantees or letters of credit from counterparties in order for them to meet our minimum credit requirement standards. Our financial derivatives policy requires counterparties to have a certain investment-grade credit rating at the time the derivative instrument is entered into, and the policy specifies limits on the contract amount and duration based on each counterparty's credit rating.  We do not speculate on derivatives; instead we utilize derivatives to hedge our exposure above risk tolerance limits.  Any increase in market risk created by the use of derivatives should be offset by the exposures they modify.  We actively monitor our derivative credit exposure and place counterparties on hold for trading purposes or require other forms of credit assurance, such as letters of credit, cash collateral or guarantees as circumstances warrant.  Our ongoing assessment of counterparty credit risk includes consideration of credit ratings, credit default swap spreads, bond market credit spreads, financial condition, government actions and market news. We utilize a Monte-Carlo simulation model to estimate the change in credit and liquidity risk from the volatility of natural gas prices.  We use the results of the model to establish earnings at-risk trading limits.  Our credit risk for all outstanding derivatives at September 30, 2010 currently does not extend beyond October 2013. We could become materially exposed to credit risk with one or more of our counterparties if natural gas prices experience a significant increase.  If a counterparty were to become insolvent or fail to perform on its obligations, we could suffer a material loss, but we would expect such loss to be eligible for regulatory deferral and rate recovery, subject to prudency review.  All of our existing counterparties currently have investment-grade credit ratings. Fair Value In accordance with fair value accounting, we include nonperformance risk in calculating fair value adjustments.  This includes a credit risk adjustment based on the credit spreads of our counterparties when we are in an unrealized gain position, or on our own credit spread when we are in an unrealized loss position.  Our assessment of non-performance risk is generally derived from the credit default swap market and from bond market credit spreads. The impact of the credit risk adjustments for all outstanding derivatives was immaterial to the fair value calculation at September 30, 2010. We also did not have any transfers between level 1 or level 2 during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 (see Part II, Item 8., Note 1 in the 2009 Form 10-K for further explanation of the fair value hierarchy). The following table provides the fair value hierarchy of our derivative assets and liabilities as of the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 and December 31, 2009:<div><table style="border-collapse:collapse;margin-top:20px;"><tr style="height: 20px"><td style="width: 125px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:125px;"> </td><td style="width: 235px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:235px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td colspan="4" style="width: 220px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:220px;">September 30,</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 100px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:100px;">December 31,</td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><td style="width: 125px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:125px;">Thousands</td><td style="width: 235px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:235px;">Description of Derivative Inputs</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 100px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:100px;">2010</td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 100px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:100px;">2009</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 100px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:100px;">2009</td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><td style="width: 125px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:125px;">Level 1</td><td style="width: 235px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:235px;">Quoted prices in active markets </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 100px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:100px;"> -</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 100px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:100px;"> -</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 100px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:100px;"> -</td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><td style="width: 125px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:125px;">Level 2</td><td style="width: 235px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:235px;">Significant other observable inputs</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 100px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:100px;"> (84,727)</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 100px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:100px;"> (23,453)</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 100px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:100px;"> (15,489)</td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><td style="width: 125px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:125px;">Level 3</td><td style="width: 235px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:235px;">Significant unobservable inputs</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 100px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:100px;"> -</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 100px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:100px;"> -</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 100px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:100px;"> -</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px"><td style="width: 125px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:125px;"> </td><td style="width: 235px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:235px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 100px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:100px;"> (84,727)</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 100px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:100px;"> (23,453)</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 100px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:100px;"> (15,489)</td></tr></table></div> 10.       Derivative Instruments We enter into swap, option and combinations of option contracts for the purpose of false false false us-types:textBlockItemType textblock This element can be used to disclose the entity's entire derivative instruments and hedging activities disclosure as a single block of text. Describes an entity's risk management strategies, derivatives in hedging activities and non-hedging derivative instruments, the assets, obligations, liabilities, revenues and expenses arising there from, and the amounts of and methodologies and assumptions used in determining the amounts of such items. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 45 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 44 false 1 2 false UnKnown UnKnown UnKnown false true