Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Note 2 — Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation. Our financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and costs. These estimates are based on management’s knowledge of current events, historical experience and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Accordingly, actual results may be different from these estimates and assumptions.

Principles of Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of AmeriGas Partners and its majority-owned subsidiaries. We eliminate all significant intercompany accounts and transactions when we consolidate. We account for the General Partner’s 1.01% interest in AmeriGas OLP.

Finance Corps. AmeriGas Finance Corp. and AP Eagle Finance Corp. are wholly-owned finance subsidiaries of AmeriGas Partners. Their sole purpose is to serve as co-obligors for debt securities issued by AmeriGas Partners.

Fair Value Measurements. We apply fair value measurements to certain assets and liabilities, principally our commodity and interest rate derivative instruments. Fair value in GAAP is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value is based upon assumptions that market participants would use when pricing an asset or liability, including assumptions about risk and risks inherent in valuation techniques and inputs to valuations. This includes not only the credit standing of counterparties and credit enhancements but also the impact of our own nonperformance risk on our liabilities. Fair value measurements require that we assume that the transaction occurs in the principal market for the asset or liability or in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the asset or liability (the market for which the reporting entity would be able to maximize the amount received or minimize the amount paid). We evaluate the need for credit adjustments to our derivative instrument fair values in accordance with the requirements noted above. Such adjustments were not material to the fair values of our derivative instruments.

We use the following fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels:

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Level 1 — Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets and liabilities that we have the ability to access at the measurement date. We did not have any derivative financial instruments categorized as Level 1 at September 30, 2011 or 2010.

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Level 2 — Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are either directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability, including quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, and inputs that are derived from observable market data by correlation or other means. Instruments categorized in Level 2 include non-exchange traded derivatives such as over-the-counter commodity price swap and option contracts and interest rate protection agreements.

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Level 3 — Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability including situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability. We did not have any derivative financial instruments categorized as Level 3 at September 30, 2011 or 2010.

The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable data (Level 3). In some cases, the inputs to measure fair value might fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. The lowest level input that is significant to a fair value measurement in its entirety determines the applicable level in the fair value hierarchy. Assessing the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, considering factors specific to the asset or liability. See Note 16 for additional information on fair value measurements.

Derivative Instruments. We account for derivative instruments and hedging activities in accordance with guidance provided by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) which requires that all derivative instruments be recognized as either assets or liabilities and measured at fair value. The accounting for changes in fair value depends upon the purpose of the derivative instrument and whether it is designated and qualifies for hedge accounting.

Substantially all of our derivative financial instruments are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges. For cash flow hedges, changes in the fair value of the derivative financial instruments are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) or noncontrolling interests, to the extent effective at offsetting changes in the hedged item, until earnings are affected by the hedged item. We discontinue cash flow hedge accounting if the occurrence of the forecasted transaction is determined to be no longer probable. Cash flows from derivative financial instruments are included in cash flows from operating activities.

For a more detailed description of the derivative instruments we use, our accounting for derivatives, our objectives for using them and related supplemental information required by GAAP, see Note 17.

Revenue Recognition. Revenues from the sale of propane are recognized principally upon delivery. Revenues from the sale of appliances and equipment are recognized at the later of sale or installation. Revenues from repair or maintenance services are recognized upon completion of services. Revenues from annually billed fees are recorded on a straight-line basis over one year. We present revenue-related taxes collected from customers and remitted to taxing authorities, principally sales and use taxes, on a net basis.

Delivery Expenses. Expenses associated with the delivery of propane to customers (including vehicle expenses, expenses of delivery personnel, vehicle repair and maintenance and general liability expenses) are classified as operating and administrative expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Depreciation expense associated with delivery vehicles is classified in depreciation on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Income Taxes. AmeriGas Partners and the Operating Partnership are not directly subject to federal income taxes. Instead, their taxable income or loss is allocated to their individual partners. The Operating Partnership has corporate subsidiaries which are directly subject to federal and state income taxes. Accordingly, our consolidated financial statements reflect income taxes related to these corporate subsidiaries. Legislation in certain states allows for taxation of partnerships’ income and the accompanying financial statements reflect state income taxes resulting from such legislation. Net income for financial statement purposes may differ significantly from taxable income reportable to unitholders. This is a result of (1) differences between the tax basis and financial reporting basis of assets and liabilities and (2) the taxable income allocation requirements of the Fourth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of AmeriGas Partners, L.P., (“Partnership Agreement”) and the Internal Revenue Code. At September 30, 2011, the financial reporting basis of the Partnership’s assets and liabilities exceeded the tax basis by approximately $306,149.

Comprehensive Income. Comprehensive income comprises net income and other comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) results from gains and losses on derivative instruments qualifying as cash flow hedges.

Cash and Cash Equivalents. All highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased are classified as cash equivalents.

Inventories. Our inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. We determine cost using an average cost method for propane, specific identification for appliances and the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method for all other inventories.

Property, Plant and Equipment and Related Depreciation. We record property, plant and equipment at cost. The amounts we assign to property, plant and equipment of acquired businesses are based upon estimated fair value at date of acquisition.

We compute depreciation expense on plant and equipment using the straight-line method over estimated service lives generally ranging from 15 to 40 years for buildings and improvements; 7 to 30 years for storage and customer tanks and cylinders; and 2 to 10 years for vehicles, equipment and office furniture and fixtures. Costs to install Partnership-owned tanks at customer locations, net of amounts billed to customers, are capitalized and depreciated over the estimated period of benefit not exceeding ten years.

We include in property, plant and equipment costs associated with computer software we develop or obtain for use in our business. We amortize computer software costs on a straight-line basis over expected periods of benefit not exceeding ten years once the installed software is ready for its intended use.

No depreciation expense is included in cost of sales on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets. In accordance with GAAP relating to goodwill and other intangibles, we amortize intangible assets over their estimated useful lives unless we determine their lives to be indefinite. We amortize customer relationship and noncompete agreement intangibles over their estimated periods of benefit, which do not exceed 15 years. Goodwill is not amortized but is subject to tests for impairment at least annually. We perform impairment tests more frequently than annually if events or circumstances indicate that the value of goodwill might be impaired. For purposes of the goodwill impairment test, the Partnership has determined it has one reporting unit. Fair value of the reporting unit is estimated using a market value approach taking into account the market price of AmeriGas Partners Common Units. No provisions for goodwill or other intangible asset impairments were recorded during Fiscal 2011, Fiscal 2010 or Fiscal 2009.

No amortization expense is included in cost of sales on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. For further information, see Note 11.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets. We evaluate the impairment of long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. We evaluate recoverability based upon undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by such assets. No provisions for impairments were recorded during Fiscal 2011, Fiscal 2010 or Fiscal 2009.

Customer Deposits. We offer certain of our customers prepayment programs which require customers to pay a fixed periodic amount or to otherwise prepay a portion of their anticipated propane purchases. Customer prepayments, in excess of associated billings, are classified as customer deposits and advances on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Equity-Based Compensation. The General Partner may grant Common Unit awards (as further described in Note 12) to employees and non-employee Directors under its Common Unit plans, and employees of the General Partner may be granted stock options for UGI Common Stock. All of our equity-based compensation is measured at fair value on the grant date, date of modification or end of the period, as applicable, and recognized in earnings over the requisite service period. Depending upon the settlement terms of the awards, all or a portion of the fair value of equity-based awards may be presented as a liability or as equity in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Equity-based compensation costs associated with the portion of Common Unit awards classified as equity are measured based upon their estimated fair value on the date of grant or modification. Equity-based compensation costs associated with the portion of Common Unit awards classified as liabilities are measured based upon their estimated fair value at the grant date and remeasured as of the end of each period. For a further description of our equity-based compensation plans and related disclosures, see Note 12.

Environmental Matters. We are subject to environmental laws and regulations intended to mitigate or remove the effect of past operations and improve or maintain the quality of the environment. These laws and regulations require the removal or remedy of the effect on the environment of the disposal or release of certain specified hazardous substances at current or former operating sites.

Environmental reserves are accrued when assessments indicate that it is probable that a liability has been incurred and an amount can reasonably be estimated. Amounts recorded as environmental liabilities on the balance sheets represent our best estimate of costs expected to be incurred or, if no best estimate can be made, the minimum liability associated with a range of expected environmental investigation and remediation costs. Our estimated liability for environmental contamination is reduced to reflect anticipated participation of other responsible parties but is not reduced for possible recovery from insurance carriers. We do not discount to present value the costs of future expenditures for environmental liabilities. At September 30, 2011, the Partnership’s accrued liability for environmental investigation and cleanup costs was not material.

Allocation of Net Income. Net income attributable to AmeriGas Partners, L.P. for partners’ capital and statement of operations presentation purposes is allocated to the General Partner and the limited partners in accordance with their respective ownership percentages after giving effect to amounts distributed to the General Partner in excess of its 1% general partner interest in AmeriGas Partners based on its incentive distribution rights (“IDRs”) under the Partnership Agreement (see Note 6).

Net Income Per Unit. Effective October 1, 2009, we adopted new accounting guidance regarding the application of the two-class method for determining income per unit. This new guidance addresses the application of the two-class method for master limited partnerships (“MLPs”) when IDRs are present and entitle the holder of such rights to a portion of distributions from the MLP. The new guidance addresses how current period earnings of the MLP should be allocated to the general partner, limited partners and, when applicable, holders of IDRs for income per unit purposes.

The new guidance regarding the two-class method requires that income per limited partner unit be calculated as if all earnings for the period were distributed and requires a separate calculation for each quarter and year-to-date period. In periods when our net income attributable to AmeriGas Partners exceeds our Available Cash, as defined in the Partnership Agreement, and is above certain levels, the calculation according to the two-class method results in an increased allocation of undistributed earnings to the General Partner. Generally, in periods when our Available Cash in respect of the quarter or year-to-date periods exceeds our net income (loss) attributable to AmeriGas Partners, the calculation according to the two-class method results in an allocation of earnings to the General Partner greater than its relative ownership interest in the Partnership (or in the case of a net loss attributable to AmeriGas Partners, an allocation of such net loss to the Common Unitholders greater than their relative ownership interest in the Partnership). The new guidance requires retrospective application of the guidance to all periods presented.

The following table sets forth the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted income per limited partner unit computations:


	2011		2010		2009
Common Unitholders’ interest in net income attributable to AmeriGas
Partners under the two-class method for MLPs	$	131,482	$	160,037	$	205,039

Weighted average Common Units outstanding — basic (thousands)		57,119		57,076		57,038
Potentially dilutive Common Units (thousands)		51		47		44

Weighted average Common Units outstanding — diluted (thousands)		57,170		57,123		57,082

Theoretical distributions of net income attributable to AmeriGas Partners, L.P. in accordance with the two-class method for Fiscal 2011, Fiscal 2010 and Fiscal 2009 resulted in an increased allocation of net income attributable to AmeriGas Partners, L.P. to the General Partner in the computation of income per limited partner unit which had the effect of decreasing earnings per limited partner unit by $0.01, $0.01, and $0.23, respectively. The retrospective application of the new guidance described above did not impact the calculation of net income per limited partner unit for the year ended September 30, 2009.

Segment Information. We have determined that we have a single reportable operating segment that engages in the distribution of propane and related equipment and supplies. No single customer represents ten percent or more of consolidated revenues on an accrual basis. In addition, substantially all of our revenues are derived from sources within the United States and substantially all of our long-lived assets are located in the United States.