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Fair Value Measurements (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]
The following tables present information about CERC’s assets and liabilities (including derivatives that are presented net) measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and indicate the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized by CERC to determine such fair value.
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Netting
Adjustments (1)
 
Balance as of December 31, 2015
 
(in millions)
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate equities
$
2

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
2

Investments, including money
market funds
11

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
11

Natural gas derivatives (2)
4

 
115

 
21

 
(15
)
 
125

Total assets
$
17

 
$
115

 
$
21

 
$
(15
)
 
$
138

Liabilities
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Natural gas derivatives (2)
$
13

 
$
65

 
$
9

 
$
(71
)
 
$
16

Total liabilities
$
13

 
$
65

 
$
9

 
$
(71
)
 
$
16


(1)
Amounts represent the impact of legally enforceable master netting arrangements that allow CERC to settle positive and negative positions and also include cash collateral of $56 million posted with the same counterparties.
 
(2)
Natural gas derivatives include no material amounts related to physical forward transactions with Enable.

 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Netting
Adjustments (1)
 
Balance as of December 31, 2014
 
(in millions)
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate equities
$
2

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
2

Investments, including money
market funds
11

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
11

Natural gas derivatives (2)
7

 
122

 
20

 
(18
)
 
131

Total assets
$
20

 
$
122

 
$
20

 
$
(18
)
 
$
144

Liabilities
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Natural gas derivatives
$
22

 
$
77

 
$
3

 
$
(82
)
 
$
20

Total liabilities
$
22

 
$
77

 
$
3

 
$
(82
)
 
$
20


(1)
Amounts represent the impact of legally enforceable master netting arrangements that allow CERC to settle positive and negative positions and also include cash collateral of $64 million posted with the same counterparties.

(2)
Natural gas derivatives include no material amounts related to physical forward transactions with Enable.
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block]
The following tables present additional information about assets or liabilities, including derivatives that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis for which CERC has utilized Level 3 inputs to determine fair value:
 
Fair Value Measurements Using Significant
 Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
 
Derivative assets and liabilities, net
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
(in millions)
Beginning balance
$
17

 
$
3

 
$
2

Total gains
7

 
14

 
3

Total settlements
(12
)
 
1

 
(3
)
Transfers out of Level 3
(1
)
 
—

 
—

Transfers into Level 3
1

 
(1
)
 
1

Ending balance (1)
$
12

 
$
17

 
$
3

The amount of total gains for the period included in earnings
attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating
to assets still held at the reporting date
$
6

 
$
16

 
$
2



(1)
During 2015, 2014 and 2013, CenterPoint Energy did not have significant Level 3 purchases or sales.
Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table Text Block]
 
December 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair
Value
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair
Value
 
(in millions)
Financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes receivable - affiliated companies
$
363

 
$
356

 
$
363

 
$
362

Financial liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt
$
2,353

 
$
2,551

 
$
2,469

 
$
2,772