| 13. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Recurring Fair Value Measurements The following tables present information (in millions) about our assets and liabilities recognized at their fair values in our balance sheets categorized according to the fair value hierarchy of the inputs utilized by us to determine the fair values as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.
We have elected to offset the fair value amounts recognized for multiple similar derivative contracts executed with the same counterparty, including any related cash collateral assets or obligations as shown below; however, fair value amounts by hierarchy level are presented in the following tables on a gross basis. We have no derivative contracts that are subject to master netting arrangements that are reflected gross on the balance sheet. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | March 31, 2019 | | | | Total Gross Fair Value | | Effect of Counter- party Netting | | Effect of Cash Collateral Netting | | Net Carrying Value on Balance Sheet | | Cash Collateral Paid or Received Not Offset | | Fair Value Hierarchy | | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 | | Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Commodity derivative contracts | $ | 638 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 638 |
| | $ | (560 | ) | | $ | (30 | ) | | $ | 48 |
| | $ | — |
| Foreign currency contracts | 3 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 3 |
| | n/a |
| | n/a |
| | 3 |
| | n/a |
| Investments of certain benefit plans | 61 |
| | — |
| | 9 |
| | 70 |
| | n/a |
| | n/a |
| | 70 |
| | n/a |
| Total | $ | 702 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 9 |
| | $ | 711 |
| | $ | (560 | ) | | $ | (30 | ) | | $ | 121 |
| |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Liabilities: | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | Commodity derivative contracts | $ | 573 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 573 |
| | $ | (560 | ) | | $ | (13 | ) | | $ | — |
| | $ | (47 | ) | Environmental credit obligations | — |
| | 17 |
| | — |
| | 17 |
| | n/a |
| | n/a |
| | 17 |
| | n/a |
| Physical purchase contracts | — |
| | 6 |
| | — |
| | 6 |
| | n/a |
| | n/a |
| | 6 |
| | n/a |
| Foreign currency contracts | 20 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 20 |
| | n/a |
| | n/a |
| | 20 |
| | n/a |
| Total | $ | 593 |
| | $ | 23 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 616 |
| | $ | (560 | ) | | $ | (13 | ) | | $ | 43 |
| |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | December 31, 2018 | | | | Total Gross Fair Value | | Effect of Counter- party Netting | | Effect of Cash Collateral Netting | | Net Carrying Value on Balance Sheet | | Cash Collateral Paid or Received Not Offset | | Fair Value Hierarchy | | | | | | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 | | | | | | Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Commodity derivative contracts | $ | 2,792 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 2,792 |
| | $ | (2,669 | ) | | $ | (34 | ) | | $ | 89 |
| | $ | — |
| Foreign currency contracts | 4 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 4 |
| | n/a |
| | n/a |
| | 4 |
| | n/a |
| Investments of certain benefit plans | 60 |
| | — |
| | 9 |
| | 69 |
| | n/a |
| | n/a |
| | 69 |
| | n/a |
| Total | $ | 2,856 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 9 |
| | $ | 2,865 |
| | $ | (2,669 | ) | | $ | (34 | ) | | $ | 162 |
| |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Commodity derivative contracts | $ | 2,681 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 2,681 |
| | $ | (2,669 | ) | | $ | (12 | ) | | $ | — |
| | $ | (136 | ) | Environmental credit obligations | — |
| | 13 |
| | — |
| | 13 |
| | n/a |
| | n/a |
| | 13 |
| | n/a |
| Physical purchase contracts | — |
| | 5 |
| | — |
| | 5 |
| | n/a |
| | n/a |
| | 5 |
| | n/a |
| Foreign currency contracts | 1 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 1 |
| | n/a |
| | n/a |
| | 1 |
| | n/a |
| Total | $ | 2,682 |
| | $ | 18 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 2,700 |
| | $ | (2,669 | ) | | $ | (12 | ) | | $ | 19 |
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A description of our assets and liabilities recognized at fair value along with the valuation methods and inputs we used to develop their fair value measurements are as follows:
| | • | Commodity derivative contracts consist primarily of exchange-traded futures, which are used to reduce the impact of price volatility on our results of operations and cash flows as discussed in Note 14. These contracts are measured at fair value using the market approach. Exchange-traded futures are valued based on quoted prices from the commodity exchange and are categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. |
| | • | Physical purchase contracts represent the fair value of fixed-price corn purchase contracts. The fair values of these purchase contracts are measured using a market approach based on quoted prices from the commodity exchange or an independent pricing service and are categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. |
| | • | Investments of certain benefit plans consist of investment securities held by trusts for the purpose of satisfying a portion of our obligations under certain U.S. nonqualified benefit plans. The plan assets categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy are measured at fair value using a market approach based on quoted prices from national securities exchanges. The plan assets categorized in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy represent insurance contracts, the fair value of which is provided by the insurer. |
| | • | Foreign currency contracts consist of foreign currency exchange and purchase contracts and foreign currency swap agreements related to our international operations to manage our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations on transactions denominated in currencies other than the local (functional) currencies of our operations. These contracts are valued based on quoted prices from the exchange and are categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. |
| | • | Environmental credit obligations represent our liability for the purchase of (i) biofuel credits (primarily Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) in the U.S.) needed to satisfy our obligation to blend biofuels into the products we produce and (ii) emission credits under the California Global Warming Solutions Act (the California cap-and-trade system, also known as AB 32) and similar programs (collectively, the cap-and-trade systems). To the degree we are unable to blend biofuels (such as ethanol and biodiesel) at percentages required under the biofuel programs, we must purchase biofuel credits to comply with these programs. Under the cap-and-trade systems, we must purchase emission credits to comply with these systems. The liability for environmental credits is based on our deficit for such credits as of the balance sheet date, if any, after considering any credits acquired or under contract, and is equal to the product of the credits deficit and the market price of these credits as of the balance sheet date. The environmental credit obligations are categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy and are measured at fair value using the market approach based on quoted prices from an independent pricing service. |
There were no transfers into or out of Level 3 for assets and liabilities held as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis.
There was no significant activity during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 related to the fair value amounts categorized in Level 3 as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.
Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements There were no assets or liabilities that were measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.
Other Financial Instruments Financial instruments that we recognize in our balance sheets at their carrying amounts are shown in the following table along with their associated fair values (in millions): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | March 31, 2019 | | December 31, 2018 | | Fair Value Hierarchy | | Carrying Amount | | Fair Value | | Carrying Amount | | Fair Value | Financial assets: | | | | | | | | | | Cash and cash equivalents | Level 1 | | $ | 2,777 |
| | $ | 2,777 |
| | $ | 2,982 |
| | $ | 2,982 |
| Financial liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | Debt (excluding finance leases) | Level 2 | | 9,511 |
| | 10,617 |
| | 8,503 |
| | 8,986 |
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