Accounting Standards

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]

Accounting Standards

Accounting Standards

Not Yet Adopted

In February 2015, the FASB issued an amendment to the guidance for determining whether an entity is a variable interest entity ("VIE"). The standard does not add or remove any of the five characteristics that determine if an entity is a VIE. However, it does change the manner in which a reporting entity assesses one of the characteristics. In particular, when decision-making over the entity’s most significant activities has been outsourced, the standard changes how a reporting entity assesses if the equity holders at risk lack decision making rights. This standard is effective for us for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and early adoption is permitted, including in interim periods. We do not expect the adoption of this standard to have a significant impact on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

In August 2014, the FASB issued an update that requires management to assess an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern by incorporating and expanding upon certain principles that are currently in U.S. auditing standards.  This standard is effective for us in the first quarter of 2017 and early adoption is permitted. We do not expect the adoption of this standard to have a significant impact on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

In May 2014, the FASB issued an update that supersedes the existing revenue recognition requirements. This standard includes a five-step revenue recognition model to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Among other things, the standard also eliminates industry-specific revenue guidance, requires enhanced disclosures about revenue, provides guidance for transactions that were not previously addressed comprehensively and improves guidance for multiple-element arrangements. This standard is effective for us in the first quarter of 2017 and should be applied retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or with the cumulative effect of initially applying the update recognized at the date of initial application. Early adoption is not permitted. We are evaluating the provisions of this accounting standards update and assessing the impact, if any, it may have on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

In April 2014, the FASB issued an amendment to accounting standards that changes the criteria for reporting discontinued operations while enhancing related disclosures. Under the amendment, only disposals representing a strategic shift in operations should be presented as discontinued operations. Those strategic shifts should have a major effect on the organization’s operations and financial results. Expanded disclosures about the assets, liabilities, income and expenses of discontinued operations will be required.  In addition, disclosure of the pretax income attributable to a disposal of a significant part of an organization that does not qualify for discontinued operations reporting will be made in order to provide users with information about the ongoing trends in an organization’s results from continuing operations.  The amendments are effective for us in the first quarter of 2015 and early adoption is permitted. We did not elect early adoption of this amendment and do not expect its future adoption to have a significant impact on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Text Block]

Recently Adopted

In June 2013, the FASB ratified the Emerging Issues Task Force consensus which requires that an unrecognized tax benefit (or a portion thereof) be presented as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for an available net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or tax credit carryforward. This accounting standards update was effective for us beginning in the first quarter of 2014 and is required to be applied prospectively. Adoption of this standard did not have a significant impact on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

In February 2013, an accounting standards update was issued to provide guidance for the recognition, measurement and disclosure of obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation is fixed at the reporting date, except for obligations such as asset retirement and environmental obligations, contingencies, guarantees, income taxes and retirement benefits, which are separately addressed within U.S. GAAP. This accounting standards update was effective for us beginning in the first quarter of 2014 and is required to be applied retrospectively. Adoption of this standard did not have a significant impact on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.